Florence E. Catron

Florence Elaine (McKinney) Jelinek Catron, 91, of Fort Atkinson, passed away on Thursday, October 9, 2025.

Florence was born on May 4, 1934, on a farm in La Valle, WI, daughter of the late Charles and Delia (Marshall) McKinney. She attended La Valle grade school and Wonewoc High School.

She married Don Jelinek in 1950 and spent most of their years farming and raising their three children, Candice, Michael and Kay. It was the best place to raise children as they learned to play and work together.

In 1968, they moved to Fort Atkinson, and she started waitressing at Drift Wood and Woodlawn and in 1973 she started tending bar at Gaslight, Koshkonong Mounds Country Club and Black Hawk Hotel.

She divorced in 1981 and married Fred Catron in 1983. She retired in 1993 so she could travel with Fred to food shows as he was that national sales rep. for Seneca Foods. They traveled to California many times to see brokers, they were like family.

Flo and Fred enjoyed many motorcycle trips and group trips with Mike and Judy and the Spring Creek crew.

She especially enjoyed the summers that included picnics with the kids, corn boils, croquet, basketball, frisbee, badminton and a few beers.

Florence is survived by her husband, Fred Catron; daughter, Candi Bugs; son, Mike (Pat) Jelinek; stepchildren, Scott (Julie Slama), Fred and Christine; son-in-law, Mike Northey; 11 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Kay Jelinek Northey; infant brother, John; son-in-law, Scott Bugs and adopted brother, Lyle.

A celebration of Florence’s life will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Friday, November 7, 2025, at the American Legion in Fort Atkinson.

Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson is assisting the family.

www.DunlapMemorialHome.com