Marie A. Marsh

MASON CITY: Marie A Marsh, 76, of Mason City died Thursday, April 3, 2014 at the Heritage Care & Rehabilitation Center. Per Marie’s request cremation rites have been accorded at Major Erickson Funeral Home in Mason City. A Celebration of Life Memorial Gathering is planned for May. Marie was born August 18, 1937 in Mason City to Cloyd O. and Gerta C. Brown, the fourth of six children. She attended Mason City Schools. In August 1954 she married Gary C. McKibben. To this union two children, Carol Ann and Michael David were born. Marie & Gary were later divorced. On October 26, 1963, Marie married Stephen Paul Cavanaugh and was blessed with a son, Dana Paul. Her children were the pride of her life. Marie was always a hard worker, even as a child. At that time she worked hard in the family garden. She loved to share the story of when she was about 5 years old and she was to weed the garden all by herself. She was meticulous in her work. She was so proud of what she had accomplished. Then “Pa” came out and noticed she had a beautiful straight row of weeds. She had pulled all of the vegetable seedlings. Most of Marie’s life was spent in Mason City. However, she also lived in Clear Lake and Waterloo IA, Aberdeen SD, Williston ND, and Coon Rapids MN. As always a hard worker she had many occupations. She was proud of her position as asst. comptroller at Augsburg College, Minneapolis MN. She also worked at American State Bank and United Home Bank in Mason City. The last 20 years of her career was spent as secretary at Monroe Glass in Mason City. Marie loved animals. Upon her retirement she enjoyed watching the birds and kittens out her window. She missed her pets that had passed before her. Her dog Rocky and cats Pinky and Carlyle. Marie always enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, which she did many daily. Also, she had a great time going to the casinos with her friends. Those grateful to have shared her life are her children Carol Snider, Mason City, and Dana (Cathy) Cavanaugh, Williston ND; sister Cloydine ‘Kay’ Haugen, Rockwell; daughter-in-law Penny Perry, Mason City; brother-in-law Kenneth Chase, Akeley MN; sister-in-law Janice Brown, Castaic CA; former brother-in-law Ron Hejna, Garner, IA; 10 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, many cousins, nieces, and nephews; close friend Shirley Madden, and many more friends. She was preceded in death by son Michael David; her parents Cloyd and Gerta Brown; her siblings Betty, Naomi, Gertrude ‘Trudy”, and Dennis; brothers-in-law Bob Haugen, Lyle Price and Deane Flett. Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, 111 N, Pennsylvania, Mason City.