Florence Kaetzel

Florence Roberta (Hatfield) Kaetzel, 97, of Gapland, Maryland, joined her Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 2, 2014 at Vindobona Nursing Home in Braddock Heights, Maryland.

Born on June 23, 1916 in Linganore in Frederick County, Maryland, she was the daughter of the late Clarence L. and Geneva May (Smith) Hatfield.  Her husband, Ira L. Kaetzel, preceded her in death in 1969.

Florence served as a foster parent with the Washington County Department of Social Services for 20 years.  After her husband died, she worked at Fahrney-Keedy Home & Village as the Director of Activities and also had worked for the Commission on Aging as a Senior Aide. After her retirement she volunteered for several years at Reeders Nursing Home and became more active as her home church, The Brownsville Church of the Brethren, where she served for many years as a deaconess.  Florence also volunteered as a 4-H Girls Club Leader and was elected to the Maryland State 4-H All Stars in 1942.

She is survived by one son, Gary Lee Kaetzel and wife Maria and granddaughter Fiona, all of Frederick, Maryland; her foster son, David French and wife Brenda, of Easton, Maryland; and her sisters, Katherine Weiland and husband Fred, of Crozet, Virginia, and Frances Blacksten of Westminster, Maryland.  She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, and her large church family and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four sisters, Carrie Ansell, Mary Myrick, Helen Brashears, and Charlotte Caswell; two brothers Charles and Ira Hatfield; one foster son, Gary Lee Mason; her step-daughter, Mirian Rowley; and her grandson, Dennis McClure.

A funeral ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 7, 2014, at the Brownsville Church of the Brethren, 1911 Rohrersville Road in Brownsville, Maryland.  Rev. Alan M. Smith will officiate.  Final resting place ceremonies will follow at the Brownsville Heights Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2014 at the Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home, 7606 Old National Pike in Boonsboro, as well as one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorial donations may be made to the Brownsville Church of the Brethren, 1911 Rohrersville Road, Knoxville, Maryland, 21758.