Mason, Roberta 1926-2005

MASON, BENSON, MARTZ, COBBS, ELLIOTT, CAVITT

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/23/2012 at 08:22:47

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; Sept. 15, 2005

ROBERTA MASON

Roberta Mason, 79, of Grinnell died Friday, Sept. 9, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Sept. 13, at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell, with the Rev. Len Eberhart, pastor of the United Methodist Church in Grinnell, officiating. Organist was Kathleen Heffner. Pallbearers were Richard Bachman, Doug Cameron, Ken Conner, Robert Dimit, Jerry Hagen, Geoff Peak, and Jerry Van Sant. Burial was in Hazelwood Cemetery.

The daughter of Forrest M. and Lela Benson Mason, she was born Jan. 1, 1926, in Colfax. She moved to Grinnell with her family and after the death of her mother in 1930, she was raised by her foster parents, Willis and Rose Martz in Grinnell. She was a 1944 graduate of Grinnell High School and later received a bachelor of science degree at Drake University.

She taught rural school for eight years in Grant and Sheridan Townships, and then for 34 years in the Grinnell-Newburg School District, where she taught 2nd grade at Parker, Cooper, Davis, and Fairview Schools. She retired in 1986.

For many years she lived with and cared for her foster mother until her death in 1960. She was a member of the Grinnell United Methodist Church, Beulah Chapter No. 47 Order of Eastern Star, and Delta Kappa Gamma.

Survivors include one brother, Carl Mason of Claremont, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her foster parents; one brother, Wayne Mason; three foster sisters, Ruth Cobbs, Ada Elliott, and Susie Cavitt; and one foster brother, Richard Martz.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Diabetes Association.