Florene F. Hart

Florene F. Hart, 95, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at Rock Creek of Ottawa. Cremation is planned with a memorial service to be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, September 17, 2021, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa. Family will meet with friends immediately following the service. Inurnment will be held later at Highland Cemetery, Ottawa. Florene was born December 30, 1925, at Ottawa, Kansas, the daughter of Orin Glen and Hazel Adrian (Traver) Gates. She was a lifelong Ottawa resident. She graduated from Grass Valley High School in California with the Class of 1943. In 1944, Florene was united in marriage to Lewis Baker in Ottawa. They later divorced. Florene was united in marriage to Lyle Hart December 5, 1953, in Garnett, Kansas. He preceded her in death on February 6, 1980. She was also preceded in death by her infant son Steven Baker; parents, Orin and Hazel Gates; sister Velma Murdock; grandson Chris Baker; and son-in-law Dennis Griffin. Survivors include her children, Janice J. Griffin of Ottawa, Lewis J.V. Baker of Desert Hot Springs, California and Candy and Ralph Finch of Ottawa; brother Glen and Ann Gates of Loveland, Colorado; ten grandchildren, Amy and Stuart Gillam, Darcy Griffin, Kristin Potter, Kayley and Cole Fredricks, Blaine Finch, Anngie and Ben Ubelaker, Amy and Bryan Nutt, E’ryca Cartee’, Misty and Dave Mathenia, and Angela and Adam Ryan; nineteen great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, Shawn Murdock, Cheryl and Alton Shady, Alton and Rebekah Shady, Karis and Daniel Stringer, Katelyn and Joshua Mann, Jessica and Richard Owens, Kayla Shady, Bethany and James Snyder, and Nathan Shady. Florene worked as a supervisor with H.D. Lee from 1962 until 1966 and 1969 until 1972; Ottawa University Food Service from 1977 until 1980; support staff with Dengel & Son Mortuary from 1982 until 1987; and 33 years as site manager at the Ottawa Senior Center, retiring in 2013. She was an active, faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church and volunteered for many years with the Salvation Army. Florene enjoyed working outside and tending to her flower garden. Above all, she always looked forward to the time spent with grandchildren and family. The family suggests memorial contributions to Calvary Baptist Church c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, KS 66067.