Florence Woodard, 91, of Denair, was born in Kelly, Kansas, one of 14 children of Julius and Anna Berger. As a young girl, Florence helped her father farm a section of land with a team of horses while her brothers went off to the war. She was a rugged, hard-working lady. They raised corn, wheat, hogs, & cattle; they had a huge vegetable garden, they even made their own soap. In her early 20’s Florence got a job at a candy counter in a dime store in Salina, Kansas. Then she and a friend headed to California on the train to find work. In California she met the love of her life, Charles Finny Woodard, a soldier just home from his military service assignment in Hawaii. They were married in 1947. They bought beach front property near San Diego that seemed “almost worthless” since it was too sandy to grow anything. They later relocated to a ranch in north Modesto. They were married and still in love for 63 years before his passing in 2010.
Florence was a tireless wife, mother, and homemaker. She made beautiful quilts, maintained flower and vegetable gardens, fed her family delicious home-cooked meals, showed hospitality to guests, and still found time to feed the birds daily and worship her maker.
She was the last survivor among her 13 siblings, and was preceded in death by her beloved husband Charles in 2013. She is survived by her three children: Regina Emig of Turlock, Carla (Jerry) Emig of LaGrange, and Zane (Sabina) Woodard of Denair; seven grandchildren: Melissa Heaslett, Matt Emig, Ryan Emig, Mark Emig, Christi Fair, Lori Emig, and Shanell Woodard; and four great grandchildren: Taylor Heaslett, Connor Heaslett, Weston Fair, and Treyton Fair.
Visitation will be on Wed, Aug. 19th at Allen Mortuary from 3 to 6 pm followed by a Rosary at 6 pm. Mass of Catholic Burial will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Thurs, Aug. 20th at 10 am. Burial will follow at Turlock Memorial Park. Her family suggests donations in memory of Florence to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, her favorite charity, at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105.
Please leave memories and condolences at www.allenmortuary.com.
