Florence M. Best of Gothenburg was born July 13, 1901 on a farm south of Farnam. The Brooks moved to Franklin, Nebr in 1904 and returned to Frontier County in 1913. She died Saturday October 14, 1978 in a Central City, Nebraska hospital.

Florence graduated from Franklin High School in 1919. She taught school in southwest Nebraska until she married Ross V. Best on May 21, 1932. In 1932, Mr. and Mrs. Best moved to Moorefield where he operated a hardware store. In 1939, they moved to Norton, Kansas where Best worked as a salesman and Mrs. Best remained a housewife.

A son, John Brooks Best, was born to them in Norton. In 1944, they moved to McCook. Mr. Best died Sept. 7, 1944 in McCook. A second son James Carl Best, was born Jan 3, 1945. Mrs. Best raised her sons in McCook.

Florence graduated from Kearney State College in 1957. From 1945 to 1964, she taught elementary school in Maywood, Indiana, McCook, Beaver City, and Spencer, Nebraska. She remained in McCook until July 1975 when she moved to Gothenburg.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church in McCook, Nebraska, Nebraska State Educational Association, National Educational Association and Kearney State College Alumni Association.

She was preceded in death by her parents, David Washington Brooks and Emma May (Bowlin) Brooks, and her husband, R.V. Best.

She is survived by her son, John Brooks Best, and daughter-in-law, Phyllis Georgene Best, and their two children, Jill and Jack of Central City, Ne; son, James Carl Best of Walden, CO, and sister, Mrs. A. B. (Fern) Banks of Gothenburg.

Services were held Wednesday, Oct. 18th at 2 pm in the United Methodist Church in Farnam with Rev. Karl L. Lent officiating.

Music was by Mrs. Harold Bick and Mrs. Robert Speck accompanied by Mrs. Kent Davis.

Casket bearers were Russell Wilcox, Wayne Williams, Harold Lehman, Max McNickel, Orvale Widick and Jack Martin. Interment was in the Farnam Cemetery.

Personal collection of Ardyce (Smith) Bick. Submitted by H. Elizabeth Hoppe-Stevens