Ann E. Espinosa

Ann Elizabeth Espinosa, beloved and devoted daughter, sister, aunt and friend to many, passed away peacefully at the age of 67 after a brief battle with cancer.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Ann Espinosa will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church 213 N. Pennsylvania Avenue in Mason City at 10:30am on Saturday, April 5, 2025. A visitation will be held an hour prior at the church. Inurnment will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery.

A scholarship fund in Ann’s name for deserving elementary education majors at Luther College is being established. Memorials can be directed to Luther College - the Ann Espinosa Scholarship Fund.

Ann was born on February 28, 1958, in Mason City, Iowa to Paul (Blackie) Espinosa Jr. and Mavis (nee Holt) Espinosa. She attended Mason City public schools and graduated from Mason City High School with distinction in 1976. She was involved in student government and vocal music. Ann went on to earn two BA degrees, in Elementary Education, and Psychology, from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. She graduated in 1980. Ann was a member of the renowned Luther College Nordic Choir and a member of the Alpha Beta Psi Sorority.

After graduating, Ann began her successful, lifelong career as a compassionate and dedicated teacher at Roosevelt Elementary in Mason City, Iowa. She taught first grade and then kindergarten for a total of eight years. She continued her teaching career at Olmstead Elementary in Urbandale, Iowa where she taught kindergarten for three years. Her final 22 years were spent at Kate Mitchell Elementary in Ames teaching first and second grade.

Ann left a legacy of students who love learning because of “Miss E’s” innovative, effective teaching, her commitment and her passion for making learning fun and inviting. Ann built lasting relationships with both students and their parents because of her compassion and love for each one of them.

Not only did she impact her students, but she made a difference in the lives of her fellow teachers. Ann was part of a district cadre for Ames schools that worked with leading experts in the field of teaching strategies that had a profound impact on student learning. She then taught and mentored teachers locally to implement these strategies. Ann was awarded the Arcadia Lodge Masonic Teacher of the Year in Ames in 2011.

After retiring from teaching, Ann volunteered countless hours at Mary Greeley Medical Center. Her time there included serving on the Auxiliary Board of Directors. In 2019 she served as secretary; in 2020 was president-elect; and in 2021 she served as president. Ann also volunteered at the Ames City Hall.

Everyone who knew Ann knew she was a sports fan and a die-hard Iowa Hawkeye. She was a football season ticket holder for many years and the seven home Saturday games in Kinnick Stadium were her favorite days of the year.

Family was a huge part of her life, especially the time she spent with her mom. Ann embraced the opportunity to care for her mom for a number of years. It was important to her to spend time making sure her mom had the best opportunity to continue thriving during her last years and this gifted them much more time together. Ann was a favorite of her nephews and nieces. She held a special place in their hearts.

Ann loved with all of her heart and has impacted more lives than she would ever imagine.

Ann is survived by her sister Sherry Rundquist, brother and sister-in-law Pete and Kari Espinosa, nephews and nieces Paul and Amanda Rundquist, Nathan and Amber Espinosa, Jennifer and John Whyte, Josh and Maddie Espinosa, Justin Espinosa and Rachel Espinosa. Great nephews and nieces April and Dylan Bickford, Kodi Rundquist and Max Ronek, PJ (Paul) Rundquist, Katlyn Rundquist, Madelyn & Olivia Milks; Carver, Zachary, and Andrew Espinosa, Alexis & Alison Whyte, and Teddy Espinosa. Great-great niece and nephews Addilynn & Damon Bickford, and Matthew Ronek.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Paul (Sonny) Espinosa III, sister Pam McFarland, sister Debbie Espinosa, brother-in-law Gordon Rundquist, nephew Matthew Rundquist, and brother-in-law Loyd McFarland.