Florene Messamore

Florene Jane Messamore, 92, formerly of Colby, died February 6, 2022, at Brookdale Memory Care in Shawnee, Kansas. She was born April 26, 1929, to Peter and Lucy (Nordman) Bixenman in Hays, Kansas. Florene grew up in Menlo and then Levant, KS where she graduated from high school in 1947.

In 1946 she married Darrell Kent Williams of Colby. Four children were born to this union: Mriana (Barbara), Rebecca, Mischele and Pete (Darrell).

After living in Englewood, Colorado, Florene returned to Colby and bought her home at 4th and Range. In 1965 she married Jerry Messamore who was a kind and loving husband, dad and grandpa.

Florene’s faith was a huge part of who she was. She was an active member and supporter of her Sacred Heart Church in Colby, donating time and talents to their fundraisers and programs, especially the Sacred Heart School. She practiced charity and kindness in everything she did.

She had a number of successful careers. Florene worked at Englewood State Bank in Colorado for 5 years. Returning to Colby she worked at the ASCS office helping farmers with government programs where she retired as Chief Clerk and Program Assistant in 1985. She then studied and passed exams to become a financial advisor for Waddell & Reed Investment Company. She and Jerry worked there together until final retirement in 1996. During that time Florene was “Rookie of the Year” and received many other awards for her achievements. She always saw her job as helping people invest wisely for their future.

Florene and Jerry had a great time square dancing, working together, entertaining at their dining room table, playing cards and games, traveling, and spending winters in Arizona with more great friends. They moved to the Kansas City area with Mriana in 2015.

Florene was talented in many areas. She was a great cook, always had an extra plate at the table, and coffee and treats were there whenever anyone dropped by. Her door was always open, and everyone was always welcome. She loved gardening and canning, and she enjoyed raising grapes and making wine and jelly. Florene was a world class seamstress. She made wedding dresses, suits, baby clothes, quilts, play tents...anything the family needed or wanted. She had many hobbies and interests. Florene took art lessons and painted tole and acrylic. She took tap dance lessons at age 60 and danced in a group with friends. Florene--Grandma Renie--treasured the times she had with grandkids and the great-grandkids. She loved caring for them and playing with them.

Florene was very generous with her time. She volunteered extensively for RSVP in Colby, crocheting afghans for foster kids and veterans, supporting the blood drives, and their other programs. To acknowledge Jerry and the soldiers of WWII, she participated in the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. In Kansas City she volunteered for Catholic Charities.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jerry, her parents, her sisters--Gene, Shirley and Pat, and brothers--Bob and Leroy. Florene is survived by her children, Mriana, Rebecca, Mischele and Pete (Barbara) Williams; 8 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews and everyone else she mothered and loved throughout her life.

A vigil service will be 7:00pm on June 19, 2022 at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. Funeral services and Celebration of her life will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Colby 10:00am on June 20, 2022. Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart School or the Prairie Museum and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701.

Florene Jane Bixenman Williams Messamore was a strong, resilient, charitable, loving, kind, smart and successful woman who will be missed by many.