Elizabeth B. Kohler

Elizabeth B. Kohler, 97, of Mason City, passed away Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at the Nora Springs Care Center surrounded by family.  

A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, May 6, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., at Epiphany Parish Holy Family Catholic Church, 722 North Adams, with Rev. Ben Valentine officiating.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, May 5, 2024, from 3:00-5:00 p.m., at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania, with a Rosary followed by a Scriptural Wake Service beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Interment will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to Epiphany Parish. 

Elizabeth Barbara Kohler was born on August 26, 1926, to parents John and Margaret (Schell) Steinbach in St. Ansgar, Iowa. Betty lived in Garden City, Kansas, and later Blue Earth, Minnesota, where she graduated high school. She took several college classes over the years. After graduation, Betty returned to Iowa for work. Shortly after her return in 1944, Betty was united in marriage to Lawrence Wesley Kohler on June 15. To this union, eight children were born: Jeanettee, Sharon, Karen, Mary Jane, Mike, Michele, John, and Jay.

Betty worked hard on the farm helping her husband with livestock and crops. She raised large vegetable and flower gardens, and canned and preserved much produce. She always had homemade cookies, pies, and bread. Betty sold Tupperware for a few years and then worked full time at the fabric department at Tempo Department Store. She later worked at Libby Owen glass factory, cooked at Gordon Taylor’s Auctioneer School, and as a dietary supervisor at Mercy Hospital until her retirement.

Betty was an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Mason City, where she served on the ladies guild and several church circles. Betty helped with PTA and 4-H, and she belonged to the neighborhood card club, the women’s neighborhood circle, and volunteered at the Community Kitchen, where she organized and cooked meals.

In her free time, Betty enjoyed quilting, embroidery, and reading. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Betty was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend, and she will be deeply missed by those who knew her and loved her.

Betty is survived by her children, Jeanettee (Dave) Greiman, Mary Jane (Mark) Sullivan, Mike (Linda) Kohler, Michele (Jon) Whitesell, John Kohler, and Jay Kohler; 16 grandchildren, and several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; one sister, Theresa Todorvich; sister-in-law, Rose Steinbach; and several nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 2 twin daughters, 4 sisters, 5 brothers, 2 daughters-in-law, one grandson, and one great granddaughter.