Services for Betty A. Mason, 86, of Russell, Iowa will be held on Monday, February 20, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Faith United Methodist Church in Russell. Family will receive friends on Sunday, February 19, 2023, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton, Iowa. Memorials may be made to the Faith United Methodist Church in Russell or the Russell Fire Department.
Betty Ann (Cain) Mason was born on September 20, 1936, to Wallace “Bud” and Addie (Fry) Cain in Leon, Iowa. Addie passed away when Betty was very young. After her passing, Bud met Lela, and the couple married. She took care of Betty as her own until her passing when Betty was 17. Bud later married Marge. Betty and Marge became very close. She grew up in the Van Wert area where she attended school, graduating with the class of 1954 and then moved to Des Moines.
Within a year, Betty met Elwyn E. Mason and the couple married November 18, 1955. They were blessed with two sons, Phil and Ken. When the boys were young, the family would vacation to California every other year to see Betty’s sister Luetta and family.
Betty was always a hard worker. She began her career in Des Moines working for Banker’s Life and Preferred Risk. In 1971, the family moved to the Russell area and built a new home near Elwyn’s parent’s home. She sold Tupperware for many years. She worked in Chariton at Central Savings and Loan through their many name changes during the 1970-80’s. She started as a teller and worked her way up to Controller, something of which she was very proud. She took a break from banking for a time and opened “Grandma’s Treasure Cove”, a craft and consignment shop in Russell. Later she went back to banking to work as a customer service representative for Great Western Bank in Russell until her retirement.
Betty always had a green thumb. She and Elwyn kept a garden that she helped him tend to, and she loved planting and enjoying her flowers. She had a nice collection of salt and pepper shakers that she was quite fond of. She loved animals and always loved having pets. She was very active in the Faith United Methodist Church in Russell, a member of the UMW as well as holding the title of Treasurer for many years. She also enjoyed being a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority and the American Legion Auxiliary. Betty was one of 13 women who retired from the sorority at the same time, thus naming themselves the “Lucky 13”. As a group they took many small trips and enjoyed each other’s company.
Betty had a passion for music. She enjoyed when Brian would play guitar and sing and Shelley and brothers, Glenn and George Norris would sing, among others. She always had a treat for anyone who came to visit, as she was an excellent cook and baker. Some of her family’s all-time favorites were her apple crisp, fried chicken, and spicy chili.
Betty was very passionate about her family and willing to help whenever she could. She was very proud of them all. When her great-grandson, Dallas, was very young, he couldn’t say great grandma Betty, so she became “Great Betty” to the great grandchildren. One of her favorite family traditions was on Christmas Eve. After everyone had eaten and before they could unwrap presents, she insisted that “The Night Before Christmas” be read.
Betty will be deeply missed by her sons, Phil (Shelley) Mason and Ken (Deb) Mason; grandchildren: Jaime (Brian) Sabel, Becky (Daren) Jaques, Robbie (Shayna) Mason, Stephanie Mason, and Michael (Emily) Mason; great grandchildren: Wynter, Savannah, Dallas, Kaydence, Ryker, Gavin, Bentleigh, and Lakelynn; nephew, Wallace Wakefield and his family; along with many other family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Elwyn Mason; sister, Luetta Wakefield; brother-in-law, David Wakefield; sister-in-law, Maxine Moore; and brother-in-law, Bill Moore.
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