By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
April 8, 2004

ROYAL - The gift of musical talent is something that one St. Louis parishioner feels she needs to share.

Florence "Fluff" Ihry started playing the pump organ at Sacred Heart Church in Sutherland, when she was in eighth grade. She has been playing the organ and piano ever since.

"I was active in choir as a young child," said Ihry. "The woman that was playing the organ was getting older, and she wondered if I would like to play."

When she was 16, she played for her first wedding. She commented that she was scared and nervous, but it went over well.

Ihry was a two-year student at Briar Cliff College from 1946 to 1948.

"When I went away to school, I would play at Briar Cliff occasionally," said Ihry. "When I got out of college, I played in Hartley, when I worked there. I played for weddings in Spencer, Estherville and Fort Dodge on big pipe organs. That was a challenge, but it was fun."

When she first started playing on the pipe organ, she didn't know how to play the pedals. She picked up her knowledge from nuns in college and from going to classes in the diocese. Ihry did not take organ lessons, but she played the piano for years. She added that the hand part was easier once she learned the feet part.

She began actively playing at St. Louis Parish in Royal in 1952. The late Father Becker was the pastor there at the time and asked her to play the organ and head up a youth choir.

"The music that I pick goes along with the liturgy for the Mass," said Ihry. "It just adds to it. The Mass is much more meaningful to me because I understand more of what it is about."

With eight children, through the years she had to work her playing schedule around them. When they were younger, her husband would have to go to one Mass, and she would play at the other. Most of her children still live in the Midwest and are active in their respective parishes and in music.

"When I had my family, it was a challenge sometimes," said Ihry.

Through the years, Ihry has served her parish in many different ways. She was in charge of the cantors for years and kept house for the priests, helping with whatever the priests' needed such as doing sewing. She was also the activity director at one time and helped with catechism.

Ihry also became a BeFriender and taught the classes. She still continues her BeFriending ministry by having people come to her home or visiting people in the hospital.

About three years ago, Ihry had back surgery and was not able to play. The second organist took her place.

"Since that time, I feel it is okay if I go away because we have another person," said Ihry.

Now that she is back on her feet, Ihry plays at weekend Masses and funerals whenever she is in town and not going to visit her children.

"Playing is something that I enjoy," said Ihry. "I like to have it be nice for special occasions and even on Sunday. I want my cantors to practice ahead of time, and I practice ahead of time."

She helps the current priest at the parish, Father Tim Fitzgerald, by going to Mass early and getting things ready for Mass. She also washes the linens and casiks for him.

"I have the time on my hands, and I do it," said Ihry. "I don't expect compensation for it. I figure as long as I can, why not?"

Ihry commented that she loves what she does and working with the people of St. Louis Parish.

"I always said I would quit when I was 75. I am 76 now," said Ihry. "I figure that God gave me a gift, and it was a good way to give it back. I do get a lot out of it that way. I feel blessed that I can do it this long because I enjoy it."