Barbara J. Gaiser

Barbara J. (Church) Gaiser, 80, of Mason City, IA, passed away on Tuesday, September 13, 2016, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit from complications of Alzheimer’s. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM on Thursday, September 15, 2016, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, September 16, 2016, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 329 E. State Street, with Pastor Michael Last officiating. Interment will take place in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Barbara Gaiser Memorial Fund in care of the family, for Salvation Army Day Care (ADHC), 747 Village Green Drive SW, Mason City, IA 50401, or Hospice of North Iowa, 232 2nd Street SE, Mason City, IA 50401.

Barbara was born August 10, 1936, in Mason City, the daughter of Nathan and Violet D. (Hage) Church. She graduated from Mason City High School in 1954. On October 9, 1954, Barbara was united in marriage to Harold L. Gaiser at St. Paul Lutheran Church and to this union 3 children were born: Michael, Katherine and Steven. Barbara started her career while in high school doing on-the-job training at J.C. Penney. She also helped Harold with Gaiser Standard Service for twelve years, before working for Damons, Northwest Bank and Wells Fargo until her retirement in 1999. Barbara's happiest times were spending time with her family and friends. She loved family gatherings and always made sure your coffee cup was full. She also enjoyed going to Curves and having coffee with her friends. She was a good homemaker who enjoyed quilting and ceramics. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and was involved with the women’s group there. She also enjoyed her volunteer time at the Humane Society. Barbara and Harold spent many wonderful winters in Arizona where she enjoyed playing cards every evening.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 61 years: Harold Gaiser of Mason City; 3 children: Michael Gaiser and wife, Penny of Mason City; Katherine Kehm and spouse, Jennifer Kiser of Scottsdale, AZ; and Steven Gaiser and wife, Staci of Mesa, AZ; 7 grandchildren: Christi Gaiser; Katie Froiland and husband, Justin; Kara Gaiser; Joshua Kehm and wife, Melissa; Kelly Kehm; Trevor Gaiser; Taylor Smith and husband, Kyle; 5 great grandchildren: Jordan and Wyatt Latham, Jackson Froiland, Kherington Gaiser and Della Smith.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Nathan and Violet.