Harriet Ann (Mason) Short

KIRKEGAARD, MASON, RALLS, SHORT

Posted By: Cindy (email)
Date: 12/12/2024 at 14:13:46

Harriet Ann (Mason) Short, 86 years old, passed away peacefully on December 1, 2024, at Prairie Hills, Independence, IA.

Harriet donated her body to the University of Iowa Medical School for research.

Memorial Service will be at a later date.

A memorial fund has been established.
Condolences may be placed at www.White-MtHope.com

Harriet Ann Mason entered this world April 8, 1938, at the Hamilton County Hospital in Webster City, Iowa. Her parents were Charles “Chuc” Fenton Mason and Reba (Ralls) Mason. She was later joined by a brother, Charles “Dick” Richard Mason.

Her education was in the Webster City Public Schools, graduating with the Lincoln High School class of 1956 as class valedictorian. Harriet continued her education at Iowa State College (now Iowa State University), graduating in 1960 with a B.S. in Food and Nutrition. While at ISU she was a proud and active member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, serving as its president. Harriet was also involved with several student organizations. She was also tapped, in 1960, to be a member of Mortar Board, a women’s honorary society. In June 1960, Harriet began a year’s employment with General Mills, in Minneapolis, Minnesota in their experimental kitchens.

On July 29, 1961, she and Gary F. Short were married. They first lived in Cedar Falls, Iowa. While Gary was serving on active duty in the U.S. Army, Harriet went back to school at the University of Northern Iowa to obtain her teaching credentials. This led to a career in teaching, first at Cedar Heights School in Cedar Falls, Iowa, then with Independence Public Schools in Independence, Iowa, retiring in 1989. After retiring, Harriet started a kid’s savings bank program, Mini Mustang Bank, at West Elementary School. Harriet was involved in several organizations.

They included: the Independence Teachers Association, Iowa State University Foundation board of governors, Hawkeye Tech. advisory board, AEA 7, Iowa Talented and Gifted Association board of governors, and P.E.O. While teaching in Independence, she started the talented and gifted program, presenting at several state and national conferences.

Harriet loved to host friends at dinner parties, cooking gourmet meals, dining out with family and friends, dancing, playing bridge and playing tennis and golf. Harriet and Gary also liked to travel, going to Europe twice and all over the United States, sometimes using their timeshares with family and friends. Going to ISU events, including men’s basketball games, football games, Order of Knoll events and hosting the annual Short Family Reunions for thirty-six years were other things they liked to do.

Harriet was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Short; her parents; and her brother. She is survived by niece, Laura (Mason) Kirkegaard of Kewaskum, Wisconsin; nephew Chuc Mason of Costa Rica; sister in-law, Mary Mason; and four great nieces.

White Funeral Home, Independence, IA is assisting with arrangements.