Gertrude Marie Florian, 95, of Sheboygan, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 at Lili Assisted Living, Schofield, WI. She was born on March 31, 1918 in Cleveland, a daughter of Nicholas and Marie Gass Salm. She married Joseph A. Florian on September 7, 1946 at St. Wendel Catholic Church in Cleveland. Gertrude was a loving, selfless wife, mother and grandmother whose many kind and thoughtful acts are fondly remembered by all who knew her. Her strong faith served as a bulwark in her life deriving strength through her strong religious commitments. She served as a mother figure for relatives and strangers alike. In addition to her immediate family, she felt a special bond to her brothers and sisters and relished those relationships. She also enjoyed time spent with many friends and acquaintances. Gertrude was a member of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Parish and the St. Anne's Society. Survivors are five sons and their families, Joseph J. Florian of North St. Paul, MN, Ronald Florian of Tipler and his children Abigail and Ryan, Gerald Florian of Milwaukee, Richard Florian of Mercer, and John (Charlotte) Florian of Canandaigua, NY and their children Vaughn and Grace. She is also survived by sisters Agnes Wagner, Mary Lou (Richard) Sixel, both of Sheboygan, Carol (Elroy) Jaeger of Cleveland; one brother, Joe (Marlys) Salm of Newton; five sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Salm, Cleveland, Mary Ann Salm, Newton, Carol Salm of Kiel, Nancy Salm of Cleveland; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and stepmother, Hildegard Schuler Salm; her husband, Joseph A. Florian; son James Florian; three sisters, Ruth Gill, Marie Langdon and Mabel Henckel; seven brothers, Arthur, Andrew, Roman, Eugene, Donald, Francis and an infant brother, Robert Salm; three brothers-in-law, Bernie Langdon, James Wagner and George Gill; and one sister-in-law, Coletta Salm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 5, 2013, at Holy Name Catholic Church, 807 Superior Ave. with the Rev. Daniel Lasecki, as celebrant. Relatives and friends are welcome at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery.
