Kay Mase

Kay Mase

Hiawatha

On Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, Kay Mase, 77, died from complications of Alzheimer's at Hiawatha Care Center in Hiawatha, Iowa. She is survived by her beloved husband, Wayne Mase; her children, Christie Mase and her daughter Ellery Española Mase; heri, her husband Jamie and their children Emilie (Morgan) and Sophie.

Kay was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on Jan. 10, 1946, to John Willingham and Gladys, who shared Kay's birthday. She considered her mother and father-in-law, Bea and Herb Mase, as cherished parents. Kay flourished when she moved to Iowa in 1971. She became an active member of her church, a board member at the Marion YMCA, a caring neighbor, and a volleyball and tennis player. Kay loved creating projects, cooking and baking for her friends, singing in the church choir, throwing parties in her basement, sewing and shopping for clothes, and making people laugh. Before her move to Iowa, she lived in Texas and Chicago. In Texas at 19, her friends sent her on a blind date with a serviceman: the only common denominator was their height. Kay was a proud six feet tall, and Wayne was four inches taller, so they stayed married for 57 years. The memories Kay preserved from growing up in Texas were chili recipes, garage doors in sandstorms, and scorpions. The memories Kay preserved from Chicago were walking home in snowstorms and good friends.

The family thanks the staff at Hiawatha Care Center for treating Kay with dignity, humor, love, generosity, and compassion during her time there.

The Visitation will be at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 3500 29th Ave. in Marion, Iowa, on Friday, Nov. 24, at 9 a.m., followed by a Memorial Service at 10 a.m. Inurnment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

“Not only is another world possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”

~Arundhati Roy~