Florence A. (Johnston) Niskanen

Florence A. “Torry” Niskanen, 93, Athens, died Thursday June 9, 2022, at the Colonial Center, Colby.

She was born June 9, 1929, in Watertown, Minnesota, daughter of the late Donley A. and Nannie (Moline) Johnston. On August 15, 1958, she married William Oliver Niskanen at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Paul, Minnesota. He preceded her in death October 29, 1988.

Torry attended the University of Minnesota for two years and graduated from the University of Superior. For 40 years, she had been an Elementary School Teacher in Hawkins and Prentice School Districts. For the last 10 years of her teaching career, she taught high school musicals. Among her many involvements, Torry was the Sunday School Superintendent and Teacher in Brantwood, Wisconsin, was a member of the Red Hatters, enjoyed cooking, baking and reading.

Survivors include two children, Donley O. (Lisa) Niskanen, Athens, Blaine O. (Cindy) Niskanen, Montello; two grandchildren, Donley O. Niskanen II, Arja Lea (Alek) Niskanen-Glauvitz; a brother, Del (Charlotte) Johnston, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Besides her parents and husband, Florence was preceded in death by one son, John Oliver Niskanen, three siblings, Lyle Johnston, Glen (Helen) Johnston, and Betty May Johnston; an infant sister, Violet Fay.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday June 16, 2022 at Zion Lutheran Church, 213501 Legacy Street, Stratford.  Burial will be in the Prentice Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens and again on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Athens funeral home.  Pallbearers for the funeral will be Donley Niskanen II, Arja Niskanen-Glauvitz, Alek Glauvitz, David Heikkinen, Dag Bystrom and Clint Woiak.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com