Faye Lee

Viola Faye (Gettman) Lee, 81, of Mason City, passed away Wednesday, January 4th, 2017, at the Good Shepherd Care Center surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, January 9th, 2017, at First United Methodist Church, 119 S. Georgia Ave, Mason City, IA with Pastor Kathleen R. Moore officiating.
Visitation will be held between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday, January 8th, 2017, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave, Mason City, and will continue at the church on Monday commencing one hour prior to the services. Graveside services will be held at 2:30 PM on Tuesday, August 8, 2017, at Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family.

Faye was born August 15th, 1935, in Mason City. She was the daughter of George Peter and Sarah Pearl (Shaner) Gettman. Faye was the sixth of nine children to be raised in the home that her father built in Midland Heights. Educated in the Mason City schools, she graduated in 1953. Faye was very active in the DECA Club during her high school years. This led her to a position with Standard Glass and Paint, part time while in school, and full time following graduation. Faye spent many years in the painting and decorating business. She was a certified interior designer and many people sought her out for her flair and expertise. Faye also worked for Iowa Paint and Diamond-Vogel Paints in Mason City. After leaving the decorating business, Faye worked at Armour-NIAD Credit Union, Winnebago Industries, and finally retiring from the Iowa Department of Revenue and Finance.

Faye married Marlyn Lee on December 7th, 1957, in Costa Mesa, CA. They initially resided in Long Beach, CA due to Marlyn’s service location in the U.S. Navy. The couple returned to Iowa after Marlyn’s discharge. Faye and Marlyn raised four children in North Iowa. Due to Faye’s love to paint, wallpaper, and do interior design, it resulted as part of the reason why the family lived in several places. The family would buy a house, fix it up, live there for a while, sell it at a profit, and do it again. Marlyn’s career with the Post Office led the family to live in the small communities of Rake and Swea City in North Iowa as well.

Faye’s biggest love was for her family. She would do just about anything she could to provide them with not only the necessities, but some of the extra things in life, too. Faye was happiest when she was surrounded by her siblings, kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. When her children were growing up, Faye was active in Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and the PTA. It was common to see her applauding in the bleachers somewhere for a sporting event (probably for something she likely knew little about) or a school concert. Faye was close to her siblings as well. She put forth a great deal of effort to keep in touch with all of them. Faye was also a very kind and giving person who would open the doors of her home to care for those who were in need. She will be remembered for her selfless acts to so many.

The family travelled extensively. Not just big summer vacations. Many day or weekend trips would see the family out on the road as well. Faye really delighted in first time experiences, that she could share with her family. Many family vacations took them to places where Faye had never been before either. After retirement, Faye and her husband travelled more. They incorporated family visits all along their way, of course. For their 50th wedding anniversary, her family all went together and sent Faye and Marlyn on her dream trip to Hawaii which she enjoyed immensely.

Those left to cherish Faye’s memory include her husband of 59 years, Marlyn Lee of Mason City. Her daughter Marti (Daryl) Kindrick of Mason City; son Matthew of Mason City; daughter Mary Wallis of Springdale, AR; and son Michael of Mason City. Fifteen grandchildren and seventeen great-children are mourning the loss of their Grandma. Her sister Dorothy Ornberg of Coarsegold, CA; sister Marvyl Buehner of Daytona Beach, FL; brother Ronald of Mason City; sister Lynda McMannes of Mason City. She also enjoyed a special closeness to Marlyn’s family and they are Carlton (Buck) and Dianne Lee of Mason City; David and Sharron Petznick of Northwood; Merle Lee of Commerce City, CO; Scott Helling of Ames, IA. Also included are all of her cousins, nieces, nephews, and their children. Faye also will be missed by the many friends she has made in various places over the years.

Preceding Faye in death are her parents; brothers, Raymond, Robert, and Bruce; sister Darlene Francis; son-in-law Rick Wallis; nephew James McMannes; and a still born great-grandson Phoenix . In-laws that preceded Faye in death included mother and father-in-law Raymond & Mildred Lee; brothers-in-law Gerald (Jerry) Lee, Larry Lee, Richard Lee; sister-in-law Gloria Helling.