Mary Jane Masters

MASON CITY: Mary Jane Masters has left this world. She was born into it August 21, 1915, she passed from it on July 27, 2015. The world is a better place for her being here. The world she entered was in great turmoil and so were Mary Jane's early years. She was born to Arthur and Grace Millius in McGregor, Iowa but after her parent’s marriage broke up, she had to live with distant relatives because she was described as the little girl nobody wanted. Later her mother married Jess Snook who eventually adopted Mary Jane. The turmoil continued because she had to live under the cloud of parent alcoholism. The family moved many times because of Jess’s employment. While living in Guthrie Center, Iowa, she met and entered into a 70-year marriage with Ronald Masters Sr. Even then she endured turmoil when her first born son Dexter D. Masters was stillborn. Mary Jane and Ronald moved to Davenport, Iowa where he attended Palmer School of Chiropractic graduating with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. Mary Jane and Dr. Ronald moved to Manning, Iowa where he set up a practice.

During their stay in Manning she bore three more sons Dr. Ronald Masters II (wife Patricia) of Mason City, Iowa, Dr. Lance Masters, deceased (wife Linda) of Phoenix, Arizona, and Dr. Michael Masters (wife Judy) of Honolulu, Hawaii.

The family eventually moved to Mason City, Iowa where Dr. R.O. again started a practice and Mary Jane established a stable home for her family. While in Manning, she was a member and served as president of the Manning Women’s Club. In Mason City, Mary Jane was a 50-year member of P.E.O. Chapter KX. She was also a member of the First United Methodist Church. Mary Jane enjoyed her family, traveling, playing cards and reading. She took pride in her flower and vegetable gardens and had a natural talent for creating beautiful ceramics. For several years she had a ceramic shop of her own. Mary Jane’s friendly smile and gracious wave will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. She passed on a great sense of humor that has been enjoyed and adopted by her sons, 10 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

Mary Jane left this world in a better place than she found it because of her loving personality and by establishing a family with a set of values based on love, a value she seldom experienced while growing up.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dr. R.O. Masters Sr., 2 sons Dexter D. Masters and Dr. Lance Masters, and a daughter-in-law, Nancy Reagan Masters. She is survived by a half-brother Robert A. Millius, Dubuque, Iowa.

Mary Jane requested that there be no funeral service. Instead savor a chocolate truffle in her memory and direct any memorials to a charity of your choice. There will be a graveside inurnment ceremony in Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date.