Services for Betty Mason will be Sunday, August 7, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Milo with a visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Pleasantville Rescue Unit, American Heart/Stroke Association, or Lions Eye Donor. Online condolences: www.pierschbacherfuneralhome.com

Betty Dorene Atherton was born October 18, 1936 to Harlan and Elsie (Mehaffy) Atherton, the youngest of seven children. She graduated from Milo High School in 1954. Betty was married to Daniel Dean Mason December 17, 1955, to this union four children were born: Daniel Dee, Lori Rae, David Harlan, and Julie Esther. She worked for the Des Moines Register & Tribune as a Secretary for District Managers until she retired.

Betty was a Sunday school teacher and Choir Director for St. Paul United Methodist Church in Pleasantville in the early years of her life. She loved reading, gardening, and writing poetry. She also enjoyed listening to folk music and bluegrass, spending time with her family, watching Jeopardy, and cooking. She was well known for her pies and they were often sold before she ever baked them.

Betty Dorene Mason passed away July 24, 2011 at 9:30 p.m. at Knoxville Community Hospital. She was preceded in death by her parents: Harlan and Elsie Atherton; four sisters: Yoland James, Reland Wilkinson, Cora Wilkinson and Evelyn Elmore; a brother Finley Atherton; and daughter-in-law Diana Mason.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Daniel Dean Mason of Pleasantville; children: Daniel Mason of Pleasantville, Lori Mason (Jay Welsh) of Ottumwa, David Mason (Lana Adkins) of Oskaloosa, Julie (Eric) Weidner of Colorado Springs; step son Anthony Mason of Marshalltown; 6 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; sister Benita Dobson of Bellvue, IA; and good family friend Rebecca Bennett. She is also survived by many friends, relatives, and "adopted" children.
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