Viola Mae Gaines

Viola Mae Gaines, 90, of Mason City, IA, died Friday, January 13, 2017, at Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, January 21, 2017, at First Baptist Church, 125 E. State Street, with Rev. Ron Stein officiating. Interment will take place in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM on Friday, January 20, 2017, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the church service. Memorials may be directed to the Viola Gaines memorial fund in care of the family.

Viola was born March 22, 1926, in Mason City, IA, the daughter of Percy Clifford & Ethel Clara (Brockett) Englet. She was the youngest of 7 children.

Vi graduated from Mason City High School with the class of 1944. She was also a graduate of Hamilton Business College. During World War II she worked at the Pentagon in Washington DC for 8 months.

She married the love of her life, Ollie Gaines of Garner on March 17th 1945 at the First Baptist Church in Mason City. To this union two children were born.

Vi was a homemaker, a great wife and mom, always putting the needs of her family before her own. In 1966 after the death of Ollie at the young age of 38, Vi and daughter Linda moved from Davenport back to Mason City.

Son, Lon had joined the Navy shortly before the death of his dad and proudly served during the Viet Nam War. Vi thanked God that he returned home safely and the family was back together.
She was a wonderful, feisty, passionate role model for all who knew her. She loved the Lord and He was with her daily throughout her journey on this earth.

Vi worked at numerous places throughout North Iowa until she retired at age 80.
She was a member of First Baptist Church, Mason City VFW and Moose Lodge. She was an avid league bowler.

She loved the time she spent with family and friends with a passion. She showed support to those she loved by attending bridal & baby showers, weddings, graduations & funerals.

Vi is survived by son Lon Gaines & wife Kathye of Mason City, children Cheri Traenkle, of Texas, Matt Gaines and significant other Kristy Troge & her daughter Anna of Mason City, Angela Gaines-Jarosh and significant other Eric Flaherty & his son Keigan of Mason City. Lon’s 2 grandchildren & 2 great grandchildren of Texas, daughter Linda Allbee and husband Ben of Meservey, IA, their children Robert and wife Kelly of Ankeny, IA and their children Kaitlyn and Hailey, and Ben Jr and wife Stacy and their children Clayton and Blaike. Her great grandchildren called her GG for Great Grandma.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and 4 sisters: Bea Cline, Dorothy Hurd, Virginia Ewers, and Betty McLaughlin, 1 brother Richard and 1 sister Rosemarie who died in infancy.

She went to be with Ollie, her beloved family and friends and will be missed dearly by all. She fought bravely to the end to stay with us, but at 90 years and 9 months she was just worn out.