Ione Ida Mason, 85, passed away on Friday, April 1, 2022, in Missouri Valley. She was born on Oct. 3, 1936, in Council Bluffs, to George and Ida (Cooper) Swanger. She graduated from Missouri Valley High School in 1955. After high school, Ione moved to Millard, Neb., where she began working at Western Electric. Ten years later she moved to Arvada, Colo. In 1974, Ione, along with her children, returned to Missouri Valley. Ione worked for a short time at Sunnyside Cafe and Tamisiea Law Firm in Missouri Valley. Then Ione obtained a position in Omaha at Mutual of Omaha and worked for the company for more than 20 years, retiring in 1999.
Ione loved spending time with family, watching old movies, playing solitaire and shopping. She spent many hours working in her flower garden...a weed didn’t have a chance when she was around!!!
Ione is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Clifford Swanger and Lloyd Swanger; brother-in-law, Gerald Render; sisters-in-law, Elisabeth Swanger and Shirley Swanger; and great-grandson, Cole Clark. She is survived by her children, Kristina (Gail) Lamberson of Logan, Michele (Barry) Stirtz, Walter Mason Jr. (Tina Moyer) and Robert (Christine) Mason all of Missouri Valley; grandchildren, Shawna (Eric) Clark, Cody (Jonna) Lamberson, Austin (Dannielle) Stirtz, Marshal Stirtz (Kylee Glennie), Nicole Mason, Matthew Mason and Mitchell Mason; great-grandchildren, Korbin, Hailee, Henry, Charlee, Destiny, Oliver and Archer; sister, Irene Render of Missouri Valley; brother, Harry Swanger of Chattanooga, Tenn.; along with many nephews, nieces and friends.
A graveside service was held on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at Rose Hill Cemetery in Missouri Valley. Tony Render officiated the service. The recorded musical selections were “Angels Wings” by Karen Taylor Good and “Let Her Fly” by Dolly Parton. The pallbearers were Shawna Clark, Eric Clark, Cody Lamberson, Matt Mason, Austin Stirtz and Marshal Stirtz.
Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine was in charge of arrangements. www.foutsfuneralhome.com
