Ethel M. Taylor

Ethel (Gratias) Moser Taylor, 87 of Mason City died Thursday, August 26, 2004 at Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City. A memorial service will be held 1:00 PM, SEPTEMBER 10, 2004, at the First United Methodist Church, 119 South Georgia Avenue in Mason City with the Rev. Jim Stiles officiating. A private family inurnment will be in Hillside Cemetery in Marble Rock. Memorials may be directed to the Ethel Taylor Memorial Fund. Ethel Taylor was born on September 21, 1916 in Rock Grove Township near Nora Springs to Hugo and Katherine (Ahrens) Gratias. She attended rural school in the Rock Grove Township, attended two years of high school in Nora Springs and two years in Rockford, graduating in 1933. Ethel took a Normal Training Course in Rockford which certified her to teach school. She attended night and summer school classes until she had earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree (Elementary Education) in 1965. She taught school a total of 35 years, all but two years in Floyd County. Ethel was active in the Methodist Church in Marble Rock and the Sarah Circle at First United Methodist Church in Mason City. She has also been active in the local retired teachers organization, the Legion Auxiliary and the Alchor Shrine. On March 11, 1940 she married Leonard Moser and they made their home on a farm in Scott Township. To this union a daughter, Frances Marlene was born. Leonard passed away in 1967. In 1969, Ethel married Harold Taylor. They lived on a farm west of Marble Rock until moving to Mason City in 1988. Preceding her in death were her parents; first husband, Leonard Moser; second husband, Harold Taylor; three sisters, Dorothy Gratias, Helen Quandal and Lorraine Lindeman; two brothers, Walter Gratias and Ralph Gratias. She is survived by her daughters, Marlene Gjerset and husband David of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Mary Scott and husband Craig of Chariton, Iowa; one son, Jack Taylor and wife Marcia of Marble Rock; two brothers, Art Gratias of Mason City and Paul Gratias of Osage. In addition, seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania Avenue, Mason City, (641-423-0924 is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation:
11:00 AM to 11:00 AM at on August 31, 2004 (map/driving directions) 11:00 AM to 11:00 AM at on August 31, 2004 (map/driving directions)

Service:
1:00 PM at First United Methodist Church on September 10, 2004 (map/driving directions)