Racine – Florence Mae (nee: Wells) Rivers, age 88, passed away peacefully at Ascension – All Saints Hospital on Thursday morning, January 11, 2018.

Florence was born in Racine on May 30, 1929 to the late James and Rose (nee: DeMark) Wells. Babe graduated from Saint Catherine's High School in 1947. On September 1, 1951 in St. Lucy Catholic Church, she was united in marriage with the love of her life, Robert A. Rivers.

Babe's main vocation in life was tending to her loving family as a homemaker. However, she did help serve our community at the family business, Wells Bros. Restaurant, a Racine tradition that is carried on today by her son, Bill. She was an 88 year member of Saint Lucy Catholic Church – where she was so very active in various capacities…such as the Altar Society, Parish Festival and with the Lucyioners. Babe was an avid card player especially with her Wednesday St. Lucy Club and Thursday Humble Park Club. She was a phenomenal cook and baker – her family and friends always looked forward to her savory treats. Babe and Bob enjoyed playing in the Sunday night Bocce League at Roma Lodge & attending as many of their grandchildren's activities as they could. Above all, Babe loved and cherished spending time with her entire family.

Surviving are her loving husband of over 66 years, Bob; their children, Kathy (Steve) Abernethy, Bill (Lisa Betker) Rivers, Tom (Connie) Rivers and Ann (Mike) Gillis; daughter-in-law, Theresa Rivers-Meyer (Kevin); grandchildren, Katie (Marcus) Traber, Shaun (Amanda Pausa) Abernethy, Liz (John) Surendonk, Bekah (Erik) Garcia, Elise Rivers, Will Rivers, Noah (Amanda) Rivers, Hannah Rivers, Kylie Rivers, Caleb Gillis and Sophie Gillis; great-grandchildren, J.C. Traber; Maddy and Jack Surendonk; Elynn, Eli, Easton and Edison Garcia; sisters-in-law, Karin Wells, Dorothy Wells, Pat Tenuta and Mary Rondinelli; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, Babe was preceded in death by her beloved son, Gary Rivers; great-grandson, Emerson Garcia; brothers, Guy and Tony Wells; sister, Carolyn Molinaro; brothers-in-law, Gene Molinaro, Sam Tenuta and Frank Rondinelli; and nephew, Mark Rondinelli.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at 11:00 am at St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Avenue, with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Entombment will follow at the mausoleum of Holy Cross Cemetery – Highway 32. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Tuesday from 4:00 – 7:00 pm and in the church on Wednesday from 10:00 – 11:00 am. Memorials to St. Lucy Catholic Church have been suggested.

A special note of thanks to the entire staff of Ascension – All Saints 3B and to Grace Hospice for the compassionate care and support given in Babe's time of need. May God bless all of you!

Service Details

Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at 11:00 am in Saint Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Avenue in Racine

Visitation: in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Tuesday from 4:00 – 7:00 pm and in the church on Wednesday from 10-11 am

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