Marie Helane Hurmence

MASON CITY: Marie Helane Kelsey Hurmence, 88, of 1000 N. Eisenhower Avenue, died Monday, July 20, 2009 at home. Memorial services will be held 11:00 AM Friday at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1405 S. Pennsylvania Avenue with Rev. Steve Hansen officiating. Inurnment will take place in Fremont Cemetery, Tripoli, at a later date. There will be no visitation. Memorials may be given to Hospice of North Iowa.

Marie was born March 18, 1921 the daughter of Charles Byron and Emma Marie (Wilharm) Kelsey, the youngest of 11 children. She grew up on a farm in rural Tripoli. She helped with many farm chores and worked very hard. After graduating from Tripoli High School with honors, Marie attended Pitzes Beauty School. Marie married William Hurmence on November 26, 1941. She worked for 4 years at the S and S Beauty Shop in Waverly when Bill was drafted to serve in WW II. Marie saved enough during the war years to pay cash for a new house upon Bills return. They lived in Tripoli for 60 years.

For many years, Marie partnered with Bill in operating Hurmence Electric, an independent electrical contractor business. Marie and Bill raised 3 children who each went on to get college degrees. After retirement, they spent 12 winters in North Port, Florida. They also owned a cabin in Clear Lakes Bell Harbor where many summer family reunions took place. She loved her husband and family with all her heart and they loved her back. In 2005, they moved to the Willows in Mason City, leaving the Tripoli home they had built in 1946. A few of her interests included cooking, baking and sewing. Marie was active in her church being a member of the Ladies Aid, teaching Sunday School and playing the piano. She was an active member of the Womens Legion Auxlliary and the Fremont Cemetery Board. Her artistic skills found expression through crafts including making candles and fabric painting, always to give as gifts to her friends and family. She loved music and with her natural musical gift was able to teach herself to play the piano and organ beautifully.


Marie is survived by her husband, William of Mason City; daughters, Laura (Clinton) Burrow of Jacksonville, Florida, Catherine (Allan) Alcock of Mason City; son, Joel Hurmence of Fort Collins, Colorado; 4 grandchildren, Benjamin Burrow, Nicole (Jon) Huff, Amanda (Eric) Freese and Betsy (Josiah) Bushlack; 6 great grandchildren, Vanessa, Jaysaunt, Tierin, Syler, Eliah, and Evan; many nephews and nieces.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, a great grandson, Max David Bushlack, her siblings, Harold Kelsey, Hazel Chapin, Boyd Kelsey, Alene Duncomb, Ross Kelsey, Helen Kelsey, Reed Kelsey, Margaret Duncomb, Elinor Block, and Beryle Kelsey.