Evelyn Trina (Wildebor) Mason (1918-2017)

MASON, WILDEBOR, ECKHOFF, BOOMS, JACOB, MORAN, RYAN, LAMOREUX

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 2/4/2017 at 13:20:40

From Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care obituary, Ames, Story County, Iowa:

Evelyn Trina Mason age, 98 of Ames, died at Accura Healthcare in Ames, on January 31, 2017. A gathering of friends and family will be 4 - 6:00 p.m. Monday, February 6, 2017 at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa with a 11:00a.m. Tuesday, February 7, 2017 Graveside service at Belmond Cemetery Belmond, Iowa.

Evelyn was born to Benjamin and Ella Eckhoff Wildebor on October 8, 1918 in Parkersburg, IA. Evelyn graduated from Mason City High School in 1936. On April 10, 1938, she married Hale Irving Mason in Mason City, IA.

In 1953, the family moved to Belmond, where Hale and Evelyn started a television and appliance sales and service business. In 1966, they purchased the Montgomery Ward catalog store on Main Street and also operated stores in Eagle Grove and Hampton for a short period of time. Evelyn was very active during her time at Belmond. She would often work 2 jobs to earn extra money, as a receptionist at the hospital or as a seamstress for the local clothing store. She was in demand as a seamstress and for a time, traveled back and forth to Mason City Junior College to teach sewing classes.

Evelyn loved her daily three-mile trek through Belmond with her "walking friends". She was very active in the Methodist Church and her community spirit showed as she championed the fundraising and construction of a gazebo in the city park that had been devastated by a tornado years before. Evelyn and Hale sold their business and retired in 1980.

After Hale died in 1984, Evelyn moved to Ames to hang out with her children and grandchildren. She remained active, participating in activities at Collegiate Methodist Church, walking the ISU campus, playing bridge and volunteering at Mary Greeley Medical Center and was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2006. Evelyn would make several trips to California and even one to Hawaii to spend time with the "California Masons".

Evelyn fell and broke her hip in 2012 and has lived at the Riverside care facility since then. Always anxious for good conversation, Evelyn cherished visits from old friends, bridge partners, the Mary Greeley "girls", church buddies and even friends of her "kids" that would stop by. Those "kids" would like to thank the staff at Riverside and the many friends that stopped to see her or sent cards over the years for enhancing Mom's last years.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Hale, her brother Elmer and sister Genevieve and by her son-in-law John Booms. She is survived by four children: Mark (Carolyn) Mason of San Ramon, CA. Mary Ellen (Mike) Jacob of Council Bluffs (formerly of Ames). Kathy Mason of Ames. Jim (Pam) Mason of Ames. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren: Cyndi (Sean) Moran and children Haley, Dustin, Michael & Simone in California. Scott (Lani) Mason in California. Carrie (Brett) Booms-Ryan and children Jude and Jonathon in Council Bluffs. Jeff Booms of Iowa City and Jackie Mason of Ames. Evelyn is also survived by her niece Sheila (Wayne) Lamoreux of Mason City.

Memorials may be directed to the Mary Greeley Medical Center Foundation in support of volunteer programs or a charity of your choice.

http://www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com/
 

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