Florence H. Pearson, 88, of Seneca, Kansas, died Saturday, October 27, 2012 at Crestview Manor care home in Seneca.

Florence was born November 1, 1923, on a farm north of St. Benedict, to Henry J. and Johanna Bergman Engelken. She attended St. Mary’s School at St. Benedict and later obtained her GED. As a young woman, she helped area families in their homes cleaning and taking care of their children.

On July 4, 1950, she married Lyle R. Pearson at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. They operated the Sunset Café west of Seneca for several years. Lyle and Florence opened their own plumbing shop, which they operated from their home until 1967, when they purchased a building on Main Street in Seneca. In the late 1960s they operated the American Legion Club Room. In 1980, they purchased the Village Motel on Highway 36.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, the Altar Society, and the American Legion Auxiliary, all in Seneca.

She enjoyed cooking, playing bingo, and watching soap operas. She loved babysitting for her grandchildren.

Survivors are four daughters, Helen Niehues of Corning, Janet Rettele of Topeka, Marilyn Stallbaumer of Centralia and Lisa Studer of Seneca; a brother, Kenneth Engelken of Topeka; a sister, Mary Ann Armstrong of David City, Nebraska; 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Lyle on May 30, 1989; two sons, Ray D. on November 16, 2002 and Daniel J. on August 24, 1956; a granddaughter, Jenny Marie Stallbaumer; four brothers, Cletus Engelken on January 27, 1953, Alfred Engelken on May 17, 1996, Aloysius H. “Wishy” Engelken on January 11, 2004 and Bernard Engelken on October 29, 2006; and two sisters, Rosalita Mace on February 26, 1956 and Leona Koelzer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, October 30, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Monday at the funeral home. Burial is in Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery.

Memorial beneficiary will be designated at a later date; memorials may be sent to the family.