WILKES, Mason Frederick 1903-1984

WILKES, ROBERTS, COMER, LAUFFER, MAHAFFEY, CRAIN

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 10/23/2012 at 09:45:40

Mason Frederick Wilkes -- May 9, 1903 -- January 19, 1984

MASON F. WILKES, NOTED LOCAL ACTOR, DIES AT AGE 80

Longtime actor Mason F. Wilkes, 80, residing at Samaritan Bethany Manor, died Thursday at St. Mary's Hospital of complications of pulmonary disease.

Wilkes spent some 70 years in professional and community productions around the county, the last 25 years in Rochester. "All my life I've been stage struck," he once said. His friends honored him at an open house Oct. 23 at Rochester Civic Center.

Mr. Wilkes was born May 9, 1903, in Riceville, Iowa and married Dortha Mae Roberts in 1941. She died in 1950. An actor all of his life he worked those early years in tent shows and stock companies.

He was a member of the cast of the Black Hills Passion Play just prior to moving to Rochester. He was employed at the Charleston Hotel and became active in the Rochester Civic Theater.
During his career at RTC he won four Roscoes--the theater's equivalent to the Oscar -- and the coveted Joe Saidy Service Award. Some of his notable performances were roles in "Detective Story," "The Diary of Ann Frank," "The Price," "The Heiress," "The Delicate Balance," and "The time of your life."

The versatile theater personality loved fitting himself to another character and shunned typecasting.

At various times he simulated patients for Mayo Medical School, portrayed biblical personalities and made commercials.

Wilkes said his long activity didn't make him an expert in theater. He found joy in the experience itself and was undaunted acting in a "world in which I did not shine too brightly."
In a piece written for his reception. Wilkes said he was still reading plays and looking for good parts, "not for myself, but for those who will follow me." He added, "The world could be weary if no body wanted to act."

Survivors include two daughters, Roberta Comer of Kansas City, Kansas and Claudia Lauffer of Wichita, Kansas. two grandchildren; and two sisters, Amy Mahaffey of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Caroline Crain of Riceville, Iowa. He was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters.

The memorial service will be 3 p.m. Saturday at Ranfranz Funeral Home, with Rev. Clemmet A. Peterson of Christ United Methodist Church officiating. The body will be cremated.
There will be no visitation or reviewal.
The family prefers memorials to either the Rochester Civic Theater, Riceville Methodist Church or American Lung Association.

Post Bulletin, Rochester, Minn. Friday January 20, 1984