Florine Hurst

Florine Hurst died Thursday, August 20, 2015, at Citizen Medical Center in Colby, Kansas, at the age of 90. She was born August 28, 1924, to John Sylvester and Hattie (Cheves) Gregg at home north of Loving, Texas

Florine was the seventh of eight girls in her family with her arrival ten minutes before her twin, Corrine. Her father died when she and her twin were one year old leaving her Mother to raise the girls. Florine attended Arlington High School, Arlington, Texas, where she enjoyed being on the Volleyball Team. After high school, she went to Wagoner, Oklahoma, to help her sister, Lois, and brother-in-law in their country grocery store and service station. In the spring of 1943, she began attending Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, receiving an emergency certificate to teach since it was during WW II and there was a shortage of teachers. Florine taught school in Oklahoma and then went to San Diego, California, to work in a defense plant. In 1950 she came to Rawlins County, Kansas and taught at the Linda School. She lacked nine hours of completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Education.

While teaching in Rawlins County, Kansas, she met her future husband, Francis A. Hurst. After a short courtship and engagement, they were married on November 22, 1950. They made their home on the A.J. and Hazel Hurst farm near Achilles after a honeymoon in Colorado.

Florine was an active member of the Atwood United Methodist Church, being involved in Sunday School, UMW, Church History Scrapbook and was always willing to help when needed. She was a charter member of Hello There Hobby Club and 4-H was an activity the entire family enjoyed. Florine was also an active member in DAR, Genealogical Society, the Rawlins County History Book Committee, Rebekahs, and VFW Auxiliary. Hobbies included shopping, genealogy, and scrapbooking. Florine especially enjoyed visiting with family and friends and being with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Florine is survived by her husband, Francis A. Hurst of Achilles, four children, twelve grandchildren, and twenty-three great grandchildren:

Dianna and Gary Kastens of Herndon, Kansas; Susan and Brooks Brenn and children Xavia, Xanthier, and Xara of Atwood, Kansas; Zachary Kastens of Waco, Texas

Donna and Brent Phelps of Houston, Texas; Sherry and Roy Ramphal of Houston, Texas; Kristine and Ben Figard and daughter Brynn of Houston, Texas; Mark Phelps of Midland, Texas

Aubra and Jodi Hurst of Colby, Kansas; Sarah and Caleb Howland and children Jonathon, Emily, and Kaitlyn of Oberlin, Kansas; Nathan and Jennifer Hurst and children Breanna, Kirsten, Paige, and Clara of North Platte, Nebraska; Justin and Erin Hurst and children William and Chance of Des Moines, Iowa; Amie and Keith Ellis and children Alexander and Vivian of Topeka, Kansas

Sylvester and Lynda Hurst of Achilles; Tracy and Roger Doty and children Dana, Matthew, Jay, and Jax of Atwood, Kansas; Jared and Jennifer Hurst and children Matthew, Lidia, Katie, Samuel, Katherine, Maci, and Callen of Atwood, Kansas; Daniel Hurst of Achilles, Kansas

Florine was preceded in death by her parents, John and Hattie Gregg; step-father, Joe Banks; twin sister Corrine Morgan; sisters Alma Esther Gregg, Mishey Sparkman, twins Laura Wiechman Creger and Mattie Clayton, Lois French, Jonnie Harlan, nieces and nephews.

A public visitation is scheduled for Sunday, August 23, from 12:00p.m. – 4:00p.m. at Baalmann Mortuary in Atwood. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, August 24, 2015 the United Methodist Church in Atwood, Kansas with burial to follow in Achilles Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Church, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, 109 N 2nd St, Atwood, KS 67730. Online condolences: www.baalmannmortuary.com