Florence Grace (Graham) Byrne, 90, passed away surrounded by her family at Pleasant View Nursing Home, in Monroe, on Oct. 13, 2017. Florence was born to Gertrude (Tench) and Harry Graham on June 6, 1927 in Peosta, Iowa.
Florence grew up with two brothers, Clifford and Louie, and three sisters, Anna Ganshert, Sister Delia Graham, and Eleanor Foley in Peosta, Iowa, Gratiot, Wis. and Shullsburg, Wis., where, in 1945, she graduated from Shullsburg High School.
Florence attended and graduated as a Registered Nurse from Mercy School of Nursing in Dubuque, Iowa. She practiced her nursing for many years, working for Dr. Garland and Dr. King, as well as, many years of private duty nursing. She kept her nursing license active until just a few years ago in the belief it was a part of her life and, one never knew when it would come in handy.
Florence met the love of her life, Robert J. Byrne. Their first date was attending a Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians dance at the Royal Palais Ballroom in Galena, Ill.  Bob was an amazing dancer, as were most men of his generation, and their early dating included frequently attending dances in the area.  Florence and Bob were married March 31, 1951 at Our Lady of Hope Church in Seymour, Wisconsin.
They spent their married life farming in the area, and raising their ever-increasing family. They began Byrne Agri Service and Byrne Building Center in the ’70’s. Florence was always at his side; encouraging, challenging and taking care of the ‘books’.
They were active in the Shullsburg community and the community of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. She enjoyed golf, Wisconsin sports and socializing with her many friends.
Throughout her life, her family meant everything to her. She and Bob were blessed with eleven children.
 She will be dearly missed by her children:  Jim (Patricia) Byrne of Shullsburg, Steve (Sherri) Byrne of Shullsburg, Bob (Judy) Byrne of Asbury, Iowa, Mary Chase of Iowa City, Tricia (Dale) Hoesly of Monroe, Chris (Penny) Byrne of Oregon, Wis., Danny ( Amanda) Byrne of Milton, Colleen Henderson of Cottleville, Mo., and Mike Byrne of Shullsburg; her grandchildren: David (Natalie) Byrne, Peter Byrne, Brandi (Scott) Becker, Robert (Carrie) Byrne, Abi and Bailey Byrne, Kathryn (Brian) Riseley, Christopher (Kelly) Hoesly, Craig Hoesly, Emily and Paul Byrne, Brandon (Kelly) Byrne, Nathaniel and Nicholas Byrne, Daryl (Jan) Von Glahn, Connie Teutschman, Monica (Art Frigo) Von Glahn, and great-grandchildren Harper and Harlow Hoesly, Nicholas and Amber Byrne, Emi Becker, Nicole and Ryan Teutschman;  Aunt Evie Timmins of Littleton, Colo., brother-in-law Joe (Jeri) Byrne of Shullsburg; as well as, many nieces, nephews and friends.
Florence is preceded in death by her husband, Robert J. Byrne, two sons: Thomas in infancy and Terry in 2008; two sons-in-law: Dave Henderson and Duane Chase; her parents; brothers; and sisters.
A family remembrance was shared at 10:45 a.m. followed by A Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017 at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church (344 N. Judgement St, Shullsburg) where Rev. Sudhakar Devarapu officiated. Burial will be in St. Matthew’s Cemetery. A visitation was held Monday, Oct. 16, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church where a rosary was prayed at 3:45 p.m. A visitation was also held Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at the church. The Erickson Funeral Home in Shullsburg is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.
We would like to thank the staff at Pleasant View Nursing Home for their care and support of Mom.