Florence Emily (Crane) Ablard, 97, of Delphos, Kansas passed away Sunday January 11, 2015 at the Ottawa County Health Center in Minneapolis.  She was born June 10, 1917 at the Crane family homestead near Miltonvale, KS.

Florence grew up during difficult years for Kansas's farmers.  America was struggling through the Great Depression, and the Dust Bowl and grasshopper invasion of the 1930's was bearing down on their farm. She recalled her dad left a shirt on a fence pole over night, and when he went to retrieve it the next morning he found that a cloud of grasshoppers had eaten it, leaving only some threads.  Though times were tough, education was always a priority.  Florence attended her first eight years of school at Union schoolhouse, then attended high school in Miltonvale.  After high school she took training courses at Clay Center and received her teaching certificate. She taught one year at Wide Range schoolhouse and three years at Pipe Creek Schoolhouse.  The Crane Family attended Mount Liberty Church for many years and it was at this church when Florence was a sophomore in high school that she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.

Florence married Carl Raymond Ablard on May 8, 1940 at her parents home.  To this union were born three children, Charles (1942), Judy (1944), and Dennis (1955).  Florence and Carl's marriage and lives were dedicated to the two most important things to them, family and farming.  Carl passed away on January 22 1973.  Florence remained active on farming matters as the responsibilities shifted to her children's generation.  She was devoted to her family and maintained a close interest in their lives. Florence held a steadfast dedication to preserving the stories, genealogy, and family history of both the Ablard and Crane families.

Survivors include children Charles Ablard (Marilyn) of Olathe; Judy Bradshaw (Jim) of Delphos; and Dennis Ablard (Jami) of Delphos. Seven grandchildren: Melinda Smith (Dave); Michael Ablard, and Michelle Ablard all of Olathe; Stacy Bradshaw of Delphos; Matt Ablard (Leslie), of Salina; Janci Bronson (Jeremiah) of Ames, Iowa; and Daniel Ablard (Crystal) of Minneapolis. Nine great-grandchildren: Carly Burns (Nathanael) of Olathe; Benjamin Smith of Olathe; Rachael and Sarah Bradshaw, of Delphos; Carson, Kendall, and Brock Ablard of Salina; Ben Bronson of Ames, Iowa; and Natalie Ablard of Minneapolis.

Florence was proceeded in death by her parents Henry and Lizzie Crane, brother Paul Crane, sisters Mildred Crane, Martha Bell Close, and Eleanor Harmony, husband Carl, and grandson Charles Dean Ablard.

Funeral service: 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis. Burial: Hall Cemetery, Delphos. Visitation: 2-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, with family receiving friends from 5-7 p.m., at the funeral home.

Memorials: Hospice of Salina, Ottawa County Health Center or the donor's choice.