Warrenville 2023 Cemetery Walk: Florence Devaney Beier
Florence Catherine Devaney was born on February 6, 1924 in Chicago to her parents John Devaney Jr. and Florence “Nin” Pendergast Devaney. She was baptized at St. Andrews Church in Chicago into the long standing Irish Catholic community there.
Her Devaney grandparents were Irish immigrants who had come from Ireland in the 1860s. They moved to Chicago and were part of the large Irish immigrant population that made up over 1/5 of Chicago residents. Her mother’s side had roots in Germany, and had come to the United States in the early 1800s.
Florence lived her first 10 years of life in Chicago before the family moved to Warrenville in 1935. In Chicago Florence’s dad had worked many jobs, including in a factory as a private driver. When they first arrived in Warrenville, John Devaney worked as a laborer, but soon the family opened a restaurant and flourished as Florence’s mother was known for her cooking that was geared to the tastes and pocketbooks of residents.
Florence and her siblings attended Holmes School through 8th grade, but then like all Warrenville students went to Wheaton to High School. Since the very beginning of our community, Warrenville never had a high school and our students always headed to Wheaton for the 4 year secondary education. When the Chicago Aurora & Elgin electrified trolley trains first came through Warrenville in 1902 everyone was thrilled to have passenger rail service. This was a time before many people had cars, especially in the small and still rural community of Warrenville. By the time Florence began attending high school in Wheaton, Warrenville students took for granted the CA&E as an easy way to get and from school. Just a short ride through the open land would get them to high school in no time at all! When that train line closed in 1957 it was a huge loss to students and their families.
After high school Florence worked at the family’s restaurant as a waitress, with her mom and sister Dolores playing a larger role in the cooking and management alongside her father. After taking some time away from their original restaurant which was on the corner of Route 59 and Batavia Road, in 1966 the family opened the Knook-N-Kranny, and it became a popular local gathering spot, open Monday through Friday 7am to 9pm, and until midnight on Saturdays.
In August of 1952, Florence married Lawrence Joseph “Bud” Beier in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Chicago. Bud was a World War 2 Veteran originally from Wisconsin. After their wedding the couple started their own lives in the Fox Valley area. Some of her family remained here in Warrenville. Florence’s siblings includes names that we’re sure sound familiar to some you, her married sisters Eileen Kleinwachter, Dolores Bigelow, Geraldine Mederich, Donna Jean Esposito, and her brothers William, John and Jim Devaney.
Continuing the tradition of family businesses, Florence and Bud opened their own business Mosedale Manufacturing, making metal tubing in St. Charles. Florence worked there as the bookkeeper until she retired in 2011. Despite leaving her family’s restaurant business she was known to be a great cook and baker and was well known for her special recipes of peanut brittle and fudge. She outlived her husband by 13 years, and passed away just three months after retiring in October of 2011. She was laid here to rest in Warrenville alongside her husband, parents and two of her siblings.