Florence Agnes Hellenbrand

CROSS PLAINS - Florence Hellenbrand, age 95, passed away on Friday, March 4, 2016, at Milestone Assisted Living, surrounded by her loving family following a short illness.  She was born on Sept. 24, 1920, in Plain, Wis., the daughter of Frances and Frank Brechtl.  Florence was united in marriage first to John Stapleton on Feb. 25, 1941, at St. Luke's Church in Plain, Wis., and later to Norbert "Nip" Hellenbrand on April 27, 1963, at St. Francis Church in Cross Plains, Wis.  Florence was an active member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and also of Christian Mothers.  She loved to play cards with family and friends.  Florence was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother.  Florence is survived by her husband, "Nip"; daughter, Joyce Ruhland; son, Tim (Kristie) Stapleton; grandchildren, Sherri (Clem) Ring, Lynn (Glenn) Breunig, Mark Ruhland, Jodi (Karl) Lasse, Roby (Jess) Stapleton and Ryan (Jill) Stapleton; great-grandchildren, Courtney (Aaron) Lovell, Cara (Shaun) Glynn, Nick, Nolan and Travis Breunig, Joseph Pickarts, Erin Lasse, Asher and Casen Stapleton and Preslee Stapleton; great-great-grandchild, Chevy Lovell; siblings, Victor (Marianne) Brechtl, Marie Liegel and Mel Nachreiner; and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her first husband, John Stapleton; siblings, Herb Brechtl, Alma (Alvin) Ruhland, Lawrence (Kathryn) Brechtl and Irene (Russell) Schweiss; son-in-law, Roger Ruhland; in-laws, Tom Alt, Mike Liegel and Ferdie Nachreiner; and her parents.  Mass of Christian burial will be held at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2947 Thinnes St., Cross Plains, at 11 a.m., on Friday, March 11, 2016, with Father Thomas Kelley presiding.  Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Friday. Burial will follow at St. Francis Cemetery.  Special thank you to staff at Milestone Assisted Living for all the care they gave Florence.  Also to Agrace HospiceCare and Dr. Dan Jarzemsky and the care team at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.  Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Cross Plains Funeral & Cremation Care 2421 Church Street (608)798-3141