She was born Dec. 8, 1931, in Williamson County, near Coupland, to Fritz Zulauf and Hedwig (Ihlenfeldt) Zulauf and baptized on May 8, 1932, as well as confirmed May 20, 1945, at St. Peter’s Church of Coupland. She grew up with her older brother, Elton Fritz Sam Zulauf on their family farm.

After graduating from Taylor High School in 1949, she married Roger Clay Florida, her loving husband for the next 56 years, Sept. 18 of that year.

After working for Steck Publishing Company in Austin as a supervisor of consignments and royalties, a move to San Antonio provided her employment opportunity at USAA for the next 32 years, in which she excelled. She retired from USAA in 1993 as executive director, employee regulatory affairs and held several other director positions such as director of compensation and director of personnel operations. During this time, Irene graduated Cum Laude from St. Mary’s University.

Irene held the senior professional in human resources, SPHR certification and had held numerous positions within society of human resources management including serving as national chairman where she travelled extensively to assist local chapters. In addition, she was the first female chapter president of SAHRMA, which still has a scholarship program in her name.

She also held various positions in San Antonio civic organizations such as Lutheran General Hospital and United Way, as well as many other organizations.

After Roger retired, they started a small limousin cattle business on her family’s farmland in Coupland. Since she and Roger had restored her family’s farmhouse, this provided them with a second home where their grandchildren spent happy summers. Having returned to the community and church where she was raised, Irene was an active member and took on many roles with St. Peter’s Church, serving as president of the church council, master planning committee chair and kitchen renovation committee chair.

In addition, she dedicated time, support and commitment for many years to the Coupland Civic Organization.

Irene will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother, sister and friend.

Survivors are daughter, Katherine Ann Burkholder and husband Gary of San Antonio; two grandsons, Chris Clark, Jr. and wife Jennifer of Bend, Oregon, and Cameron Clark and wife Kendall of Fairfax, Virginia; four great-grandchildren, Addison, Cooper, Rhodes and Gage.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 26, at Providence Funeral Home in Taylor.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, April 27, at 1 p.m. at St. Peter’s Church of Coupland with Charlotte Albert officiating. Burial will follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery.

For those desiring, contributions may be made to St. Peter’s Church of Coupland, New Horizons or Cemetery Fund or the charity of your choice.

Friends are invited to share their words of comfort in an online tribute at www. Providencefuneralhome. com in memory of Irene Helen Florida.