Beverly J. Wentworth

Beverly June Wentworth, 87, of Mason City, passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side on December 8, 2017 at the Good Shepherd Health Center. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at the Epiphany Parish St. Joseph Catholic Church with the Rev. Neil Manternach officiating. Interment will follow in the Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., from 4 Until 6 PM with a Rosary service starting at 6 and a scripture service to follow.

Beverly was born April 23, 1930, in Belle Plaine, IA, the daughter of John and Rose Konicek. She was the 10th born of 12 children, raised on a farm near Belle Plaine. She was a 1947 graduate of Keystone High School. While visiting the local drug store soda fountain, she met the love of her life, Royal (Bud) Wentworth, who was traveling with the railroad. They united in marriage on September 21, 1950. They then moved to Mason City where they raised their family.
Bev’s full-time career was raising their six children, while Bud was busy providing for the family by working two jobs. She made many sacrifices over the years for the sake of the family. She spent many years as a part-time beauty consultant for Studio Girl cosmetics—a fitting role, given her knack for style and beauty. As some of the kids grew up and moved on, Bev began working at Kmart in Mason City in the Domestic department. Again, a fitting job, given her knack for beautifying her own home. When Bud’s railroad job required them to relocate to the Boone area, she continued to work for Kmart in the Ames, IA store. She worked there until both she and Bud retired in 1991.

After retirement, she and Bud moved to Ogden, IA where they lived for several years. She continued to enjoy shopping, crafting, decorating, gardening, attending daily Mass, and gathering for coffee with church friends. In 1999, she and Bud moved back to Mason City to be closer with family.Beverly took great pride in her surroundings. She enjoyed sharing her talent of decorating by styling other homes and churches. In her later years, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, yet maintained her flare for decorating her room at the nursing home.

She will be remembered by her family for her unconditional love and unwavering support and guidance through the years. She was a wonderful role model and her family was truly blessed to have had her in their lives.

Bev is survived by her children: son, Michael (Connie) Wentworth of Mason City, daughter, Melody (Walt) Pearce of Mason City, son, Craig (Kathy) Wentworth of Omaha, Nebraska, daughter-in-law, Maria Wentworth of Mason City, son-in-law, Mike (PJ) Kruger of Clear Lake and daughter, Traci (Steve) Kieffer of Ogden; 13 grandchildren: Jenni (Mark) Arnold of DeSoto, Lisa Olsen of North Sioux City, South Dakota, Heather Chakraborty of Phoenix, Arizona, Macey Vasquez of Chandler, Arizona, Bill Wentworth of Omaha, Amy (Rob) Schiffbauer of Chicago, Illinois, Carrie (Justin) Hoffman of St. Louis, Missouri, Kristen (Jan) Hahn of Waterloo, Courtney (Matt Reindel) Wentworth of Mason City, Zach (Irene) Kruger of Detroit Lakes, MN, Nick Kruger of Clear Lake, and Ben and Abby Kieffer, of Ogden; 23 great-grandchildren; one sister: Evelyn Feuerbach of Keystone, and a brother, Duane (Marilyn) Konicek of Belle Plaine; sisters-in-law: Patty Wemette of Byron, GA, Flossie Roerick of Albuquerque, NM, and Theresa (Bernie) Begin of Rochester, MN. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Bud; son, Royal Wentworth, III; daughter, Lori Kruger; three brothers and six sisters.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa or The Iowa Alzheimers’ Association.
Beverly's family would like to thank all of the staff at Good Shepherd Health Center and Hospice of North Iowa for the compassionate and loving care they provided over the years and during her final days.