Elson, Mary Beulah

Mary Beulah Elson, 97, of Iowa City, died Oct. 21, 2011, at Oaknoll Health Center in Iowa City. Private family services will be held at a later date.

Mary was born May 22, 1914, in rural Jefferson County, five miles northwest of Birmingham, Iowa, the daughter of Reuben and Dessie (Roberts) Johnston. She was a 1932 graduate of Birmingham High School, where she was the class valedictorian. Following graduation she taught at the Crum Country School and attended Parsons College. She later attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls and receiving a BA from Coe College. In 1939, she took a teaching job in Shellsburg, where she met Van Elson, and they were married in 1941. After the war, they farmed in the Shellsburg area for three years and then purchased a farm located between Urbana and Center Point. They lived there until Van's retirement in 1976, when they moved to Vinton. Mary taught elementary school a total of 34 school years, starting in Van Buren County country schools and later in Shellsburg, Urbana and finally in Vinton until her retirement in 1977.

A highlight of her teaching career was teaching three generations of one family.

Mary was active in the Iowa Federation of Women's Clubs, Shellsburg Legion Auxiliary and East Iowa Heirloom Quilters. Two years after her husband's death, Mary moved to the Oaknoll Retirement Center in Iowa City, where she enjoyed playing the piano and helping with the vespers service.

The family would like to thank the Oaknoll Health Care staff for the loving care given to Mary.

She is survived by her son, John (Theresa Ullerich) of Iowa City; grandson, Niall Elson of San Francisco; nephews, Richard Nelson of Marion, Ark., Larry Nelson of Moreno Valley, Calif., and Alan Mahan of Cantril, Iowa; and many grandnieces, grandnephews and their children.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Van; her sister, Roberta; and her brother, Glenn.

Online condolences may be sent to Mary's family through the Web at .

Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Mary's arrangements.

Published Oct. 24, 2011, in The Gazette