Thomas Leroy Florus, age 91, of Flatonia, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021.
“Leroy,” as all who knew him, was born April 27, 1930 in Cistern to Edna (Zimmerhanzel) Florus and Anton Joseph Florus. He was the eldest of five children. He married his sweetheart, Julie, in January 1949 on the coldest day of the year.
Leroy enjoyed being a rancher/ cattleman, trail-riding, and listening and dancing to country music. He spent many hours and miles on the road, working construction. The family settled in Flatonia in 1962 where he would continue his work in construction and working cattle on the family homestead. Those who knew him well were treated as family. He never met a stranger.
Leroy is survived by his sons, David James Florus (Lillian) of Flatonia, and Dennis Wayne Florus (Debbie) of Schulenburg; his brother, Donald Stanley Florus; his sister, Pauline Florus Farek; his grandchildren, Rachelle Florus Demny (Matt), Staci Florus Fike (A.J.), Summer Seifert Henderson (Brent), Brianna Florus Janecka (Hank), A.J. Florus, and Dawson Florus (Autumn); many great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Leroy was preceded in death by his wife, Julie E. (Kubicek) Florus; his father, Anton Joseph Florus; his mother, Edna (Zimmerhanzel) Florus; and his brothers, Benjamin Daniel Florus and Anthony “Tony” Franklin Florus.
Serving as pallbearers were Andrew “A.J.” Florus, A.J. Fike, Hank Janecka, Matt Demny, Darren Florus and Dawson Florus. Leroy will be dearly missed, may he rest in peace.
A visitation for Leroy was held Monday, Aug. 9, 2021 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home in Flatonia, with a rosary recited at 7 p.m.
A funeral Mass was held Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021 at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flatonia, officiated by Fr. Gabriel Maison. Burial was at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Flatonia.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.smithfuneralhomeflatonia.com with the Florus family. Smith Funeral Home, 128 East 5th Street, Flatonia, phone 361-865-3311, was in charge of arrangements.