EARL C. MASON

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Earl C. Mason, 81, of Fort Dodge, died Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at Careage in Fort Dodge. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Gunderson Funeral Chapel with Rev. John Sersland officiating. Burial will be in the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Lizard Creek near Palmer with full military honors conducted by the VFW Post #1856. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at the Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Fort Dodge.

Earl is survived by his wife, Dorthy; three children, Barb (Darrell) Johnson of Sparkman, Ark.; Bruce (Kathie) Mason of Ottumwa, Iowa and Brenda (Ron) Thoma of Fort Dodge; eight grandchildren, Chad and Matt Mason, Ryan, Cole, Tyler, and Jacob Johnson, Jared and Lacey Thoma; and one great grandchild, Kennedy Thoma. He is also survived by a sister, Mildred Betts of Panora, Iowa and a brother, Charlie Mason of Marion, Iowa. He is preceded in death parents, Carl and Eva (Alvis) Mason; a sister, Ruth Overmire and a brother, Wilbur Mason.

Earl Christie Mason was born on June 6, 1927 in Pocahontas County and attended school in Rolfe, Iowa. In 1945, Earl was drafted into the United States Army serving for two years. During his time in the Army Earl was stationed in Japan. On May 23, 1948, Earl married Dorthy Tscherter in the Lizard Creek St. John's Lutheran Church. After their marriage, they made their home in Pocahontas later in Havelock, then in the early 1950's moving to Fort Dodge. Earl worked for the Pan-O-Gold Bakery and later for Cargill retiring in 1989. After retirement he enjoyed morning coffee with his friends and spending time with his grandchildren.

He was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge and the V.F.W.