A memorial service for Florence Hatcher, 90, of Osceola, who passed away January 4, 2021, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 19, 2021 at Overton Funeral Home, Indianola.  Burial of cremains will follow at the I.O.O.F.  Cemetery, Indianola.

Florence was born December 21, 1930 to Merwyn Farnham and Reva Amanda (Vernon) Boots in Anamosa, IA. She was united in marriage to Rodney R, Hatcher on December 5, 1948.  In reflecting on their marriage, Florence wrote, "I deeply miss him, but he is always with me.  We had a wonderful 61 years together."

Florence was an avid sports fan. She was a well-rounded high school athlete participating in basketball in Mechanicsville, Iowa. She enjoyed playing football with her children and was an accurate quarterback who threw a tight spiral.  It was also common for Florence to hitch a ride with the team school bus to her granddaughter's softball games.  She also followed her own girls to all their softball games, where Teresa was known as "Harmon Killebrew Jr." while the family lived in MN.  In addition, to being a sports spectator to her children and grandchildren, she was involved in the Indianola Women's Bowling League in her younger years with her daughter, Karen.  Every week, she would show up with her orange ball and matching orange shoes to take on the lanes while sipping on a weekly Scotch.

She was a willing homeschool teacher long before that became a thing. She spent endless time to ensure her children were well rounded and prepared for the future,

Florence loved spending time with her family and close friends. Florence and her husband, Rodney, were well-known for raising countless animals. She was a gifted animal husbandry person, caring for the family's horses, cattle, sheep and well, at one time or another just about every kind of domestic animal there is. She also tolerated her children keeping wild pets including mice, raccoons, and skunks.

She was an integral part of the family's hobby of raising and exhibiting American Fantail Pigeons and English Parakeets, winning many national honors and in the process making lifelong friends across the country, including Earl and Grace Biedermann, whom, she considered to be part of the family.

In the last chapters of her life, her greatest treasures were visits from family and friends.

Florence Esther, you will be deeply missed by many.

Survivors include her children, Larry (Vicky) Hatcher, Pastor Gary (Jackie) Hatcher, Mark (Carol) Hatcher, Teresa (Roger) Jones and Karen (Mike) Tomlinson; 10 grandchildren, John Hatcher, Beth Bries, Sarah Hatcher, Matt Hatcher, Ben Hatcher, Amy Mattix, Todd Jones, Brian Hatcher, Tracy Tomlinson-Mercer and Michael Tomlinson; 21 great-grandchildren, Emerson, Caleb, Analyse, Gabriel, Tanner, Travis, Elliana, Samuel, Kacie, Lena, Emma, Hunter, Olivia, Owen, Jordan, Jada, Natalia, Nakyra, Nazarius, Blake and Bryant. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rodney Hatcher; parents, Merwyn and Reva Boots; son, Doug Hatcher; and siblings, William, Vernon and Anna Mary Boots.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Florence's name, to the ARL, (Animal Rescue League) 5452 NE 22 ^nd , Des Moines, 50313 or http://www.arl-iowa/donate.