English Funeral Chapels & Crematory - Memorial & Guest Registry

Margaret K. Mason

December 9, 1918 ~ January 26, 2007

Viewing will be held on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2007 from noon to 5 p.m. and Monday, Jan. 29, 2007 from 9 to 5 p.m. at the English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d'Alene.

Rosary and Vigil will be at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Coeur d'Alene on Monday, Jan. 29, 2007, at 7 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be at St. Thomas Catholic Church on Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 2 p.m.

Margaret K. Mason, 88, longtime resident of Coeur d'Alene, went to be with the Lord on Jan. 26, 2007. Margaret was born on Dec. 9, 1918 in Mullan, Idaho, to Franz and Pauline Gushurst (Rauch). The family moved to Springston, Idaho, in 1919.

Margaret went to Grandview Elementary School at the age of 5 and spoke only German, but quickly learned English. She attended Harrison High School and graduated at the age of 17. She then attended Lewis and Clark College in Lewiston and received a teaching certificate at 19 years of age. Later, Margaret earned a bachelor's degree in teaching at North Idaho College.

Margaret started teaching at a small country school at Eastpoint, Idaho, where she instructed grades one through eight for two years. She could be seen driving in her Model T Ford on the narrow, treacherous mountain roads to and from her teaching position. Margaret then landed a job teaching primary grades in Hayden Lake, Idaho, where she met and became engaged to Victor G. Mason. Margaret and Victor were married in 1943 and had four children. They ran a farm and cattle ranch in Hayden Lake. In 1954, the Masons moved to Coeur d'Alene so that their children could attend Catholic School. Margaret was a homemaker and mother until 1961, when she also returned to teaching kindergarten in Coeur d'Alene until 1975, when she retired.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband, Victor, and her oldest daughter, Mary Anne.

She is survived by her children Pauline Guzmits (Frank), of Palm Desert, Calif, Jerry Mason (Maura), of Babylon, New York, and Jo Peterson, of Spokane, Wash. Margaret had five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Margaret was very active at St. Thomas Catholic Church and was a member of the Catholic Daughters Organization for many years. She was a devout Catholic and had led the Rosary at church and in nursing homes until she was 87 years old.

Margaret was continually doing nice things for others and will be greatly missed by her family and many friends, neighbors and students.

Catholic Daughters will serve dinner and hold a reception at St. Thomas Parish Hall after graveside services.

__________________________________________________
Name: Dale & Katheryn Moore Summers
City: Spokane
State: Washington
Date: January 28, 2007

Our deepest sympathy for the loss of you Mother.
Aunt Margaret was a very kind and loving person and I'm going to miss hearing from her. We didn't see much of her as she always seemed to be busy when we were able   come see her. All of our sympathy to you & the family.

                          Love Katheryn Moore Summers

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Name: Wray and Kate Moore
City: Tucson
State: Arizona
Email: kgmoore3@yahoo.com
Date: 1 28 07

Wish we could be able to visit with all of you under more pleasant circumstances. I do hold fond memories of a young Margaret and Victor with their new baby MaryAnn. I was much younger than your mother. A full 11 years.
It seems to be a Mason trait not to be close. Be close you still have time. Wray and Kate

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Name: Becky D. (Booth) Allen
City: Haines
State: Alaska
Date: 01-28-07

I would like to express my deepest condolences to Mrs. Mason's family at this time. Mrs. Mason was a wonderful lady, very patient and kind. She was the very first "grown-up" friend I had, and I have nothing but warm memories of her, including times I would come over and "visit" with her and play the piano. It meant so much to me as a little girl to have a friend like Mrs. Mason, and her kindness was never forgotten.

__________________________________________________
Name: Judy (Gehlen) Ruddach
City: Spokane
State: WA
Country: USA
Email: earler@cet.com
Date: January 28, 2007

With sympathy and caring.

__________________________________________________
Name: Lorraine Stravens
City: Coeur d'Alene
State: Idaho
Date: January 29

My prayers are with Margaret's family. What a marvelous lady. The heavens were blessed with her appearance.

__________________________________________________
Name: Bob & Lori Blessing
City: Coeur d'Alene
State: Idaho
Email: lblessing@icehouse.net
Date: 1/29/07

"The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never..."-- Rajneesh

We're so sorry for the loss of your mom. She was a kind and caring person. The essence of the word "Mother".

Bob & Lori

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Name: Yvette Haley (Margaret's eldest granddaughter)
City: Spokane
State: WA
Date: 01/29/07

I loved to listen to my grandma speak in, and sing in German. My grandma use to make the world's best homemade white bread, which I would always request when I came to visit.

My grandma loved to thrift shop and was a pioneer of the art of finding a "good deal." We would garage sale shop on weekends, and I have carried on that tradition and credit my grandma Mason to instilling in me that thrifty nature. My two boys like to thrift/bargain hunt as well.

I know my grandma is up in heaven now, with the lord and all she knew and loved. She is young, strong and happy in heaven smiling down on us all. I will always remember her big hugs smile and kisses.

Love you Grandma, I will see you again real soon!

__________________________________________________
Name: Diana J. Yearout-Farquahr
City: Coeur D Alene
State: Idaho
Date: 01-29-07

With the Deepest Symathy and Caring.
Mrs. Mason was my Kindergarden teacher about 45 yeras ago.
                       Diana J.Farquhar (Yearout)

__________________________________________________
Name: robinson
City: post fall
State: idaho
Country: usa
Email: bulelk@hotmail.com
Date: 01/29/07

my thoughts and prayers are with you all, i will miss her like she was my own mother. love ray jay

__________________________________________________
Name: Gail Peterson
City: Spokane
State: WA
Date: January 29, 2007

I will treasurer the wonderful memories I have of Aunt Margaret and my last visit with her. She was a very special lady and will be greatly missed.

Love,
Gail (Summers) Peterson

__________________________________________________
Name: Mike Ransom
City: Albany
State: Oregon
Email: strebig@gmail.com
Date: 1-29-2007

Margaret was the "den mother" when I was in Cub Scouts, and I have the most wonderful memories of all our projects and fun at her house. She was a delightful person!

Mary Anne was our babysitter when my mom and dad needed a night out, away from the 6 Ransom kids. And we all loved playing in the "woods" next to the Masons (until someone put a house in the middle of "our" woods). Good neighbors and good friends . . . and good bread!

With sadness but fond memories, another obituary to add to the IHMAcademy.com website.

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Name: Sister Barbara DuMont IHM
City: Scranton
State: PA
Country: USA
Email: dumontb@sistersofihm.org
Date: Jan. 30,2007

My sincere sympathy and many prayers for you on the death of your dear mother. Such a wonderful and faithfilled lady. I was Mary Anne's Senior teacher the year she died and I experienced the great faith of her mother at that time.Now I rejoice that they are together again in heaven--two holy souls. Pray to them!! My love and prayer, Sister Barbara

__________________________________________________
Name: Eunice Claflin Harris
City: Spokane
State: WA
Country: USA
Email: rockingnk@aol.com
Date: Janurary 30, 2007

I was very fortunate to have Margaret Mason for my teacher at Eastpoint school. One of my fondest memories of Margaret is about the time myself and three of the older students in the school went down in the woods at lunch recess. We heard Margaret blow the whistle letting us know that recess was over but instead of going back, one of the boys took his watch and set it back one hour. After the leisurely hour that we spent in the woods, we returned to the school and showed Margaret that we were not late according to the watch. She very calmly said that that was okay and by the way could she borrow the watch so she could be sure that we would get out of school at the correct time. Sure enough, when it was time for school to be through, everyone else got to leave at the right time, but the four of us got to stay until the watch showed the right time. That was Margaret, never raising her voice or throwing any fit, she just ruled with a firm but gentle hand.

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Name: Eunice Claflin Harris
City: Spokane
State: WA
Country: USA
Email: rockingnk@aol.com
Date: Janurary 30, 2007

I was very fortunate to have Margaret Mason for my teacher at Eastpoint school. One of my fondest memories of Margaret is about the time myself and three of the older students in the school went down in the woods at lunch recess. We heard Margaret blow the whistle letting us know that recess was over but instead of going back, one of the boys took his watch and set it back one hour. After the leisurely hour that we spent in the woods, we returned to the school and showed Margaret that we were not late according to the watch. She very calmly said that that was okay and by the way could she borrow the watch so she could be sure that we would get out of school at the correct time. Sure enough, when it was time for school to be through, everyone else got to leave at the right time, but the four of us got to stay until the watch showed the right time. That was Margaret, never raising her voice or throwing any fit, she just ruled with a firm but gentle hand.

__________________________________________________
Name: Larry Koffel
City: Spokane
State: WA
Country: USA
Date: 01/29/07

All love in the afterlife.

__________________________________________________
Name: Sister Mary Rassley, IHM
City: Scranton
State: PA
Country: USA
Email: mrassley@yahoo.com
Date: 1-30-07

Jo, Pauline, and Jerry,

My prayers and sympathy to you on the loss of your dear Mother. Margaret was a wonderful help to me when I was caring for my Mother, Katharine Rassley. Also she opened her home to me on my recent summer visits to Coeur d'Alene. I had a wonderful talk with her the Sunday before she died in the extended care home. I will miss her frequent newsy letters.
God bless you.
Sr. Mary

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Name: Suzy (Kryger)Miller
City: Spokane
State: Wa.
Date: 01-30-07

My deepest sympathy to the Mason family on the death of their mother. I grew up in Cd'A and was in the same class with Pauline at St. Thomas and at IHM Academy. I have great memories of walking home from school via the Mason home and being greeted by Mrs. Mason. She was always so kind and caring and made you feel so welcome. She was a great lady.

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Name: Clifford Claflin
City: Hayden
State: Idaho
Country: USA
Date: February 2, 2007

Margaret taught me to read when I was in the first grade. Little did I know then that Margaret was not the only teacher in her family. Many years later when I started work at the sawmill, Margaret's husband, Victor taught me how to grade lumber. The patience and caring they both shared have remained with me all these years.

__________________________________________________
Name: joseph haughton
City: cda
State: id
Country: usa
Email: haughtonje@aol.com
Date: 07/26/07

__________________________________________________
Name: Tim S. and Julie A. Olson
City: Eagle
State: Idaho
Country: USA
Email: tolson9568@msn.com
Date: 12/29/07

Pat and Terry,

It is unbelievable that Julie and never did receive word of Ray's passing.
As you know , he was one of our favorite persons and as I thought about calling him today, I googled his name to find the bad news.

Our thoughts are with you today and may God you and your family during this holiday season.

Ray will always live in our hearts.

Love Tim and Julie