Kathleen Ann Juffer

Mason City Kathleen Ann Juffer, age 59, of Mason City, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 17, 2009, at the Good Shepherd Health Center from complications related to early-onset Alzheimers Disease. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 A.M., on Monday, December 21, 2009, at Grace Evangelical Free Church, 440 North Illinois. with Pastor Scott Davis officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date. A gathering of family and friends will be held 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. Sunday (December 20, 2009) at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest donations in Kathys name be given to the donors choice of the adult day-care program of the Mason City Salvation Army, the Mason City Public Schools Educational Foundation or the Newman Catholic Schools.
Kathy was born on December 15, 1950 in LeMars, IA, the daughter of Kenneth and Phyllis (Miller) Clark of Larabee. She spent the early years of her life on the family farm in Cedar Township. Among her happiest memories were that of being a farm kid, helping her mom and dad with chores on the farm, and the time she spent going to school in Larabee. After her father was tragically killed in a car accident in 1959, her mother returned to college to earn her teachers degree and the family eventually moved to Cherokee. Kathy graduated from Cherokee Washington High School in 1969 and went on to earn her B.A. in elementary education from Morningside College.
Kathy taught first grade at Homer, NE and at the Ridgeway Elementary Center in the Howard-Winnesheik School District. While living in Cresco, she was also active in the Elm Street Singers and the United Methodist Church.
Kathy was united in marriage to Kent H. Juffer on April 26, 1982 at the United Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant, IA by the Rev. Wayne Wasta. With the addition of their first daughter to the family in 1985, Kathy decided that she wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. Family was always Kathys first priority and she dedicated her life to that purpose. Kathys biggest joy in life was the time she spent raising their two daughters, Megan and Katie. The girls have many fond memories of the time she spent helping them on school work and after-school activities. She was always there for them with words of encouragement and advice. Kathy loved to travel with her family, with her favorite place being Bodega Bay, CA. Kathy had a special love of music and enjoyed playing the piano and singing.
Kathy was a wonderful mother and wife. She was always happy to help her friends. Unfortunately, her illness, which started in 2001, robbed her of some of the qualities that we all knew made her special. Even though she knew something was wrong, she didnt let it stop her from enjoying life and her family and friends.
She entered the memory unit at Good Shepherd in April, 2009. The family is grateful to all the nurses and care staff of the unit for their compassion and care during her time there.
Kathleen is survived by her husband, Kent, and their two daughters, Megan of New York, New York and Katie, Mason City. A brother-in-law, Kirk Juffer and his wife, Sonja of Shorewood, WI. Sister-in-law, Jennifer Juffer of Red Granite, WI, Sister-in-law, Sheila Clark of Pierre, SD; mother-in-law, Mary Jane Juffer of Plano, TX; nieces, Gudrun and Helen Juffer of Shorewood, WI; nephews, Gus Juffer of Madison, WI, Aaron Clark of Pierre, SD and Matthew Clark of Savage, MN and a special cousin Larry Fraser and his wife, Connie of Hutchinson, MN.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Karen, and a brother, Kenny.