Florence Niskanen

Florence A. “Torry” Niskanen, 93, Athens, died Thursday, June 9, 2022, at the Colonial Center, Colby.

She was born June 9, 1929, in Watertown, Minn., daughter of the late Donley A. and Nannie (Moline) Johnston. On August 15, 1958, she married William Oliver Niskanen at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Paul, Minn. He preceded her in death October 29, 1988.

Torry attended the University of Minnesota for two years and graduated from the University of Superior. For 40 years, she had been an elementary school teacher in Hawkins and Prentice School Districts. For the last 10 years of her teaching career, she taught high school musicals. Among her many involvements, Torry was the Sunday School superintendent and teacher in Brantwood, was a member of the Red Hatters, enjoyed cooking, baking and reading.

Survivors include two children: Donley O. (Lisa) Niskanen, Athens and Blaine O. (Cindy) Niskanen, Montello; two grandchildren: Donley O. Niskanen II and Arja Lea (Alek) Niskanen-Glauvitz; and a brother, Del (Charlotte) Johnston, St. Paul, Minn.

Besides her parents and husband, Florence was preceded in death by one son, John Oliver Niskanen; three siblings: Lyle Johnston, Glen (Helen) Johnston and Betty May Johnston; and an infant sister, Violet Fay.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 16, 2022, at Zion Lutheran Church, 213501 Legacy Street, Stratford. Burial will be in the Prentice Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens, and again on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church. There will be a prayer service at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Athens funeral home. Pallbearers for the funeral will be Donley Niskanen II, Arja Niskanen-Glauvitz, Alek Glauvitz, David Heikkinen, Dag Bystrom and Clint Woiak.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.

Paid obituary 122329