It is with sorrow and gratitude that we mark the passing of Florence Marie Roth of Urbandale, IA — sorrow at the loss, gratitude for the life.
Some lives speak quietly; her is one such story.
Florence spent her working life as ['insurance'] and held deeply to the Catholic faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
The traditions Florence loved will continue to hold those she loved.
Florence Marie Roth, 95, of Urbandale, Iowa, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2026. Devoted to her family and with a deep commitment to her Catholic faith she did her best to live her life in service. She was the heart of our family and an unwavering source of strength, encouragement and love.
Florence was the oldest of nine children born to Anna (Erck) and Michael Burgad in Strasburg, ND. Following high school graduation, she went to secretarial school and took a job in Bismarck, ND. On July 31, 1950, she married the love of her life, Edward W. Roth, also from Strasburg. They were married 59 years, until Ed's death in 2010.
Florence and Ed and their growing family moved numerous times to accommodate Ed's career in insurance. Within ten years, they had six children each born in a different state. In 1961, they moved to Urbandale and became lifelong parishioners of St. Pius X Catholic Church. Together, Mom and Dad created a remarkable life.
Florence's life revolved around her family. Dad's work required extensive travel. Mom was very busy keeping a beautiful home, cooking delicious meals (with homemade dessert) every day for her family; and tending to the lives of six busy children. She strongly believed that being a parent was the hardest and most important job in the world. And she worked every day at her job.
Mom loved cooking and baking. Always happy to share a recipe, she'd say "there's nothing to it!" Her home was the site of nearly every holiday celebration and innumerable family gatherings until she was in her late 80's. She also said, "it's the little things that make up a life." Her children and grandchildren knew the candy jar would be full, baked treats were on the counter and delicious leftovers could be found in the refrigerator. She loved a good ice cream cone; football, basketball and golf game.
Florence became involved in many community and church organizations including Mercy Hospital; St. Pius X Altar and Rosary Society; House of Mercy Foundation; Catholic Daughters of America; The Serra Club; St. Pius X School; Holy Family School and Dowling Catholic High School. She was a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
In 2013, Florence was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice by the Holy Father Pope Francis, in recognition of her distinguished service to the Catholic church.
Florence loved any time her extended family was gathered together. She was the giver of direct but honest advice (sometimes unsolicited). She instilled in her children and grandchildren the importance of faith, daily prayer, and being there for one another.
Mom's faith grounded her and helped her live these final years with grace and dignity.
She will be greatly missed by her family and the many people who knew her. She is survived by her six loving children, Jacquelyn Kaufman (Bob), DelRae, Mark (Mary), Dean (Annette) of Des Moines, Brenda (Jim Youngblut) of Minneapolis and Pat (Barbara) of Indialantic, FL; twelve grandchildren, Eric Anderson (Heather), Sarah Mostad (Mark), Beth Norine (Andrew) and Megan Anderson, Joshua Roth (Nicole), Kristin Dvorak (Matt) and Matthew Roth, Jack, Jimmy (fiance Lindsey Schmidt) and Mary Youngblut and Samantha (fiance Matt Allen) and Eddie Roth; sisters, Viola Donaldson of Pocatello, ID, Agnes Burgad of Denver, Pat Nagel of West Allis, WI and brother Mike (Michele) Burgad of Scottsdale, AZ; and 13 great grandchildren, Emily, Maddox, Florence, Graham, Parker, Theodore, Cecilia, Brayden, Joanna, Lillian, Doreen, Evelyn and Miriam.
Florence was preceded in death by her husband, Ed; sisters, Angela, Ann, Bernice, Elaine, and brother-in-law, Peter Nagel.
The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the care team at Walnut Ridge Care Center who provided such compassionate care and support to Mom for the past two years.
The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at St. Pius X Catholic Church followed by a rosary at 5 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Florence's life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 4, 2026 at the church. A luncheon will immediately follow the service. Burial will be at Glendale Cemetery after lunch.
Memorials may be made to St. Pius X Catholic Church or Dowling Catholic High School.
The service will be livestreamed. Please visit Florence's obituary page at www.IlesCares.com for the livestream link and to leave online condolences.
Arrangements by Iles Westover Chapel.
