Florence "Flo" Gieber

Florence Aldine Gieber was born on August 2, 1947, in Sabetha, the daughter of Jack & Aldine (Howard) Mathewson. Florence grew up in Hiawatha, and graduated from Hiawatha High School, class of 1965. Following high school, she attended and graduated from Southwestern College in Winfield, with her Master’s degree in Elementary Education. During her senior year at Southwestern, Flo was selected as the Outstanding Student Teacher of the Year.

Flo taught in Olsburg and Chanute schools, before she moved to Topeka to work as a Librarian for USD 501. During this time, she also attended Emporia State University, where she earned her Master’s degree in Library Science. She then went on to attend East Tennessee State, where she earned another Master’s degree, in Story Telling. All told, Florence accumulated enough college credits that she could have obtained her Doctorate degree in Library Science.

Florence was a very accomplished librarian at USD 501, working first at Highland Park North Elementary school, and then transferring to State Street Elementary School, where she retired in 2001. When Flo retired, her library contained over 10,000 books, and on the day of her retirement, Flo had placed every book in its correct place and in order in her library. Flo looked forward to attending the National Storytelling Festival for many years in Jonesborough, Tennessee. She also enjoyed attending various conferences throughout her career to obtain autographed copies of the children’s books for her schools library. Florence was also able to spend one summer in Europe on the 40 days and 40 nights tour. Their tour group visited different locations each day where famous children’s books and tales were written.

Florence was united in marriage to Nick R. Gieber on August 2, 1985, in Miami, Oklahoma.

Her grandkids were the love of her life, and she enjoyed babysitting them and watching them grow. She also enjoyed attending their extracurricular activities and events. Flo was a proud K-State fan, and especially loved watching her grandson in the KSU Marching Band. She and Nick very much enjoyed traveling to various KSU bowl games throughout the years.

When the Grandpa and Me Honey Company was founded, Flo was the money keeper. The proceeds of the honey sales went towards her three grandkids’ education funds. Flo and Nick generously gave away honey to many people on their travels and adventures.

Florence passed away on September 6, 2021, in Topeka, at the age of 74 years, 1 month and 4 days.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Aldine and her brother Tom Mathewson.

Left to forever cherish their memories of Flo is her husband of 36 years Nick, step daughters Christine Sims, and Holly Wainwright along with her husband Jason all of St. George Kansas.

She is also survived by her grandson Blake Moris and his wife Carly (Tracz) of Overland Park, grandson Evan Moris of Manhattan, and granddaughter Isabella Wilkey of Phoenix.

She is also survived by her brother David Mathewson and his wife Connie of Hiawatha, nephew Stuart Mathewson and his wife Nicki of Hiawatha and their children Gavin & Rozlyn, niece Whitney Oswald and her husband Colton of Horton and their daughter Adalynn. She is also survived by Nick’s brothers and sisters, Elizabeth Ann Sandefer of Wichita, Patricia Pearson of Clyde, Mary Duey of Cuba, Karen Henke and her husband Glenn of Cuba, Butch Gieber and his wife Linda of Cuba, Deb Figarelle and her husband Tony of Great Falls, Montana.

Visitation will be Thursday, September 9th, 2021, from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, where the family will greet friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Rosary / Vigil Services will be held at 6:00 pm, at the funeral home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, September 10th, at 10:00 am, at St. Edward Catholic Church in Belleville, with burial following at St. Isidore Catholic Cemetery in Cuba.

Following the cemetery services, family and friends are invited to a reception and luncheon at the Cuba Community Center.

Memorials are requested to the Cuba Booster Club, St. Isidore Church or Hope Brown County, and may be sent in care of the funeral home.