Anderson Funeral Home
Homeserving families for over 60 years
312 South Stone St.
Augusta, WI 54722
715-286-2222
Florence Kariger
Florence A. Kariger, 99, formerly of Fairchild, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014, at the Augusta Area Nursing Home.
Florence Amanda Kariger, daughter of Pastor Guido and Emma (Schleicher) Schuessler was born August 10, 1915, in Chicago, Illinois. Florence’s father established Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, the first English speaking Lutheran Church in Chicago. Florence was baptized, confirmed and married at the church by her father. She attended Steven’s Lutheran School in Chicago, and graduated in 1933 from Lindblom High School. For 2 years after high school she attended Valparaiso University in Indiana. She went on to finished her nursing training at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, where she was later employed. Florence met Harold Kariger who she married on January 2, 1937. Florence and Harold lived in Chicago, where they owned and operated Kariger’s Cleaners and Furrier. Taking part in the business, Florence worked along side her husband pressing and dry-cleaning clothes. In 1953, she moved with her family to Jackson County, making their home in Cleveland Township.
At the age of 39 she returned to college for an additional 2 years and graduated in 1954 from U. W. Eau Claire with a Bachelors Degree in Teaching. She taught in the Fairchild School District from 1956 until 1968, and from 1968 until 1976 she taught at Alma Center. From 1976 until 1980, she worked part-time as an aid at the Augusta Area Nursing Home. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fairchild and Grace Lutheran Church in Alma Center. After her husband passed away she continued to live in her home in Cleveland Township, until moving into the Augusta Senior Apartments in March of 2000. Upon moving to Augusta, she transferred her church membership to Grace Lutheran Church. While living in the Town of Cleveland she worked on the township election board.
Throughout the years Florence enjoyed being active with the ladies aid societies and attending bible study classes. In recent years she kept busy with various craft projects and especially enjoyed making things out of stained glass, counted cross stitch and crocheting. Florence also spent many peaceful hours painting and assembling wooden clocks. Due to failing eyesight and a broken hip she entered the Augusta Area Nursing Home in August of 2007.
Florence will be dearly missed by her daughter, Diane and Gordon Austin of Mission, Texas; 11 grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Harold on Dec. 29, 1990, daughter Alice Fischer in 1985, son John in 2009, grandson Jeff Heath and siblings, Rev. Luther Schuessler, Dr. Elmer Schuessler, Clara Schultz, Ralph Schuessler and step-son, Robert Kariger.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Augusta, with burial in the Town of Cleveland Cemetery, rural Fairchild. Friends may call one hour prior to services on Saturday at the church. The family is assisted by the Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta.
