Mary Ann Wilson

Mary Ann Wilson, 92, of Mason City, died Monday, August 14, 2023, at the Nora Springs Care Center.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at 10:30 a.m., at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania Ave.

Interment will be held in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery.

A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service time on Saturday.

Memorials may be directed to the family of Mary Ann Wilson.

Mary Ann (Elder) Wilson was born April 14, 1931, to Donald S. Elder and Jacquelyn (Temple) Elder.  She was raised in Mason City, Iowa graduating from high school in 1949.  She served as secretary for her high school class from her senior year until the 60th class reunion in 2009.   Mary played flute in the band and took piano lessons in her youth.  She and her family enjoyed their family cottage at Clear Lake for the summers growing up.  She attended Iowa State University from 1949 to 1953 where she earned a bachelor’s degree in textiles and clothing. 

While there she met Robert F. Wilson and they were married on August 10, 1952, in Mason City. Following their college graduation in 1953, Mary and Robert spent 2 years in Georgia where Robert served in the military.  Once discharged they moved to an 80-acre farm west of Mason City where they lived for 65 years.  While Robert taught science in the Mason City public school system, Mary Ann was a homemaker raising their two boys and was heavily involved with their herd of registered Suffolk Sheep. In the summer of 1968, Wilson Acres Suffolks was chosen as the champion herd at the Iowa State Fair.  Mary and Robert also served as the secretary for the National Suffolk Sheep Association for many years.  Mary and Robert were members of Faith Baptist Church of Mason City where she faithfully served teaching Sunday School and singing in the choir .

Mary is survived by her children Mark E. Wilson and wife Molly Sue, and younger son Scott A. Wilson and wife Robin.  Also living are grandchildren Jillyn, Joan, and Jennifer (Mark’s daughters); and Aaron, Austin, Alicia, and Thadius (Scott’s children).   Mary also is survived by 7 great grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years Robert Wilson and her parents Donald, Jacquelyn, stepmother Beth Elder and her sister Dixie.