In loving memory of

Connie B. Mascher
August 3, 1927 - February 27, 2016

Connie Belle (Ayers) Mascher, was born August 3, 1927 in Omaha, Nebraska to Irene Whitehill. She passed away on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at Garden View Care Center in Shenandoah, Iowa.

Connie attended country schools in Page and Fremont counties and Coin High School for four years graduating in 1946. Following graduation she worked for Henry Field Nursery & Seed Company in Shenandoah.

After work one beautiful September day Connie and a friend were walking to a restaurant and were stopped by two young men, one of them was Glen Richard Mascher. The flip of a coin changed their lives, and Connie and Richard were married three months later on December 18, 1946 in Atchison, Kansas along with Connie's cousin, Boyd Whitehill and Gwen Bayless. Both couples enjoyed 50 years of marriage.

Following their marriage Rich and Connie farmed for Donald and Helen Pierce for one year. They then moved into Farragut where together they worked as janitors for Farragut Schools. Richard then went to work for Farmers Coop for 22 years. Connie stayed at home to raise their children, Dennis Richard, Glenda Kay and Carol Eileen, until their children were all in school. She then worked at various companies in Shenandoah including Tip-Top, Montgomery Ward, Goldberg's Clothing and Spurgeon's. Later she worked for Herriman's Grocery Store in Farragut when Rich began driving for Farmaster as an over-the-road truck driver.

Connie had many interests and was very involved in her community. She was an excellent seamstress and made all the dresses for her daughters' weddings and the dresses for her son and daughter-in-law's double wedding. Connie also enjoyed raising flowers and gardening and won many ribbons at the Fremont County Fair throughout the years. She enjoyed oil painting, dancing with Rich and the Dancing Grannies, singing, cooking and baking and collecting and writing poems. She loved watching the birds and squirrels out her big window in her kitchen.

Connie was a member of the Farragut First United Methodist Church. She served as a Den Mother, and was a member of and held offices in the United Methodist Women's Club, Garden and Craft Club, Senior Citizens, Service Mothers, Gold Star Auxiliary, and the Care Review Board at the Sidney Health Care Center. In 1988, Connie was chosen as First lady of the Year by the Phi Beta Kappa Sorority.

Connie put her family and home above anything else. She was so proud of her family's accomplishments and was there to cheer them on whenever possible. Nothing pleased her more then having her family together and fixing a "family dinner."

Connie was preceded in death by her husband Richard (1997); mother and step-father; sisters-in-law Elaine Peters and Dorothy McIntyre and husband Richard.

She is survived by her son, Denny Mascher and wife Gloria of Farragut, Iowa; daughter Glenda Huntsman and husband David of Davis Junction, Illinois; daughter Carol Bryson and her companion Jim Polsley of Shenandoah, Iowa; grandchildren Christopher Mascher and wife Corrie of Columbus, Ohio, Lindsey Mascher and fiancé Lance Foster of Shenandoah, Iowa, Jeremy Huntsman and wife Jeanne of Des Moines, Iowa, Kristina Huntsman of Des Moines, Iowa, Tiffany McCarty and husband Ian of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Nichole Passons and husband Andrew of Denton, Texas; great grandchildren Dakota and Jayden Mascher and Sean Gnat, Peyton and Denver Sickler, Cadence McCarty, Abigail Passons and another great-grandchild due in April; brother Charles Ayers of Essex, Iowa; sister-in-law Doris Cooper and husband Bud of Shenandoah, Iowa; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and friends.

Burial will be held at the Farragut Cemetery in Farragut, Iowa.

Memorials may be directed to the Farragut United Methodist Church of Farragut, Iowa.

Tributes

Marsha Ferraugti wrote on Mar 5, 2016:

"Denny, Glenda, & Carol... I'm sorry to hear of your mother's passing. As many others have said, you will always have the wonderful memories to reflect on. You are in my thoughts and prayers. R.I.P, Connie. Marsha Phipps Ferraguti"

Joy Hackett wrote on Mar 3, 2016:

"Denny, Glenda, Carol and family, No matter the age, losing your Mom is surely difficult. I know you have all missed the "real Connie" for some now; just as I miss and long for my own Mom, even though she is still "with us" physically. This is the result of living a long life versus losing our Dads at much younger ages. Seeing the picture of Connie brings back so many precious memories of your sweet Mother and her wonderful laughter! I remember her cheerful work at all the church dinners, after school play dates with Glenda and wondering why in the world is Connie asking her dogs "Do you have to go hurry?" After her warm laughter, she quickly explained--made perfect sense! My Denny was your neighbor in town growing up, so he has special memories of playing with you all and some of your antics. Starting Sunday School together at age 3, I don't remember not ever having Glenda as my good friend. The giggles and laughter are so special and bring a smile now just remembering Glenda's infectious giggling and all the laughter in your home. As we "grew up", I am so thankful that our lives remain intertwined. Through happy and sad times. Glenda, from graduating high school together, going to school in Omaha (among other things), sharing our wedding ceremonies, being so close (hallway) & scared for you when you had Jeremy, you and your Mom hosting my baby shower, having our children, you babysitting for Chad & Kristy, you being the first to see Chad walk for the first, our Kristy telling me "You need to get Glenda's recipes 'cuz she is a really good cooker!", watching our children become friends, playing together and growing up themselves. Along with sharing our precious pets and grieving their passings together. Poor Dave having to listen to the 3 of us remembering childhood memories and laughing over and over! I especially enjoyed and remember sitting at your Mom's kitchen table watching the birds and squirrels with her in their backyard;you bringing this REALLY shy good looking guy to a Farragut football game and thinking "This isn't going to work! He's entirely too quiet for Glenda!"; our exciting trip with your Uncle to watch the Girls' State Basketball Championship in 1971, our Kristy loving playing with that "shy good looking guy" and so many more fun (escapades, which I won't go into because of pleading the 5th)and wonderful moments. Can't remember the specifics, but I do remember something about dead stinky fish in the trunk of someone's car--Think this was a Carol/Denny thing. Also, what ever happened to Lola Mae's chicken?!? I shared that one with my Denny and he already knew! I will always remember your Mom's warm calm voice, her deep sighs when we hadn't been so funny, our shared migraine headaches and her spontaneous laughter!!! Our prayers and thoughts are with you all! With sympathy, friendship and love, Joy "

Larry Ayers wrote on Mar 1, 2016:

"You will be dearly missed Aunt Connie but never forgotten. So many loving memories. Tell Uncle Rich hi for me... Love you Larry Ayers"

Jean McEnaney wrote on Mar 1, 2016:

"To Connie's Family: My memories of Connie go back a number of years when we were members of several community organizations in Farragut. As a newcomer to the midwest, Connie was one of the first people to make me feel welcome. She had such a kind, unassuming way about her - I liked her immediately and considered her a friend. My thoughts are with all of you. Jean McEnaney "

Barbara Cunningham wrote on Mar 1, 2016:

"My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I will always remember Connie....she helped with the Christmas Bird Count for years. Faithfully! What a caring woman. She will be missed."

Terry ann Fetz wrote on Feb 29, 2016:

"So sorry to hear of her passing away kind of sad cause my aunt Marilyn kay Parman just move into her room at Gardenview not too long ago and bang this thing had to happen my deepest sympathy goes out to her and the family I am marilyn kay Parman deaf niece who come to see her aunt almost every other day Terry ann Fetz gonna add my aunt name in her book too she want me to add her too she said she will be sad miss as her roommate at Gardenview"

vickie & David Skinner wrote on Feb 29, 2016:

"to the family of Connie: So sorry for your loss. Memories last forever."

Arlene Stanek wrote on Feb 29, 2016:

"Denny, Glenda, and Carol- Sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. She was a wonderful person. My thoughts and prayers to all of you. Arlene Stanek"

Conda foster wrote on Feb 29, 2016:

"Sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers and hugs your way"

R.D. Keep wrote on Feb 29, 2016:

"Denny, Glenda, and Carol Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your mother was a sweetheart. Mother was very fond of her and your family. May God add his blessing to you at this time. RD and Karen Keep"

Kim Sweetser wrote on Feb 29, 2016:

"Carol and family: So sorry to hear of your mother's passing. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Brian, Kim, Jack and Sydney Sweetser"

Deb & Dan Finlay wrote on Feb 29, 2016:

"Our sympathies to you and your family. She was a pretty lady, and always had a smile when I saw her. God bless you. "

Dwight Durfey wrote on Feb 28, 2016:

"Denny, Glenda, Carol & family, Deeply saddened to learn the news. As Farragut continues to lose members of your mom's generation, I am reminded of how special these folks were. Their sense of family, friends and community will likely never again be equaled. As a next door neighbor for many years, I grew accustomed to her smile, wave and friendly "guidance" as I grew up. It was always so much fun to sit across from her while playing pinochle as she had a way of surprising the rest of us at the table. I believe that group that she was a member of has welcomed her home with open arms. Find peace in your memories. "

Dan Shull wrote on Feb 28, 2016:

"Denny,Glenda and Carol so sorry to hear of your mom passing. I lost my mother a year ago on March 19th. Its really tough. Your mom was a great person and always kind to everyone. I will keep you in my prayers. "

Dennis Hackett wrote on Feb 28, 2016:

"Denny, Glenda, Carol and families, So sorry to hear of Connie's passing. You are all in our prayers at this difficult time. We were neighbors for many years in Farragut. Rich, your Mom, and you guys meant a great deal to both of our families as you well know. May God bless you all at this time and know that Connie is at peace with your Dad now. With deep sympathy, Denny and Joy"

james ayers wrote on Feb 28, 2016:

"Carol and Family, It brings great grief to me on the loss of Aunt Connie. My favorite memories were always sitting in the kitchen with Grandpa Charles Ayers, Uncle Rich and Aunt Connie would be baking cookies. Aunt Connie would bring them to the table and Grandpa, Uncle Rich and I would eat all of the cookies as fast as she could bake them. I hope everyone is holding up well. I wish I could be at the funeral but I am currently deployed until the middle of the year. I will always remember Aunt Connie for the wonderful times we shared together and she will never be forgotten. Take care of everyone and hopefully we will talk soon. With Love, James "J.D." Ayers"

Rawn wrote on Feb 28, 2016:

"Carol and family,may the lord give you strength. You all hold some of her great attributes. She was afantastic mother, grandmother and friend. God bless you during this time. "

Lisa wrote on Feb 28, 2016:

"Aunt Connie was an amazing woman. She was always so welcoming and loving. Love to her and the family. "

Donna Aldaz wrote on Feb 28, 2016:

"I first met Connie when I started working. at Fair Oaks. She always made me laugh and helped Mrs make my night of work interesting. Connie and I would talk about our families and she had many loving things to say about her family. Never a doubt they were lived by her.. My rayers to the faand God .Bless.."

Deb Alexander wrote on Feb 27, 2016:

"Connie was an amazing woman! I loved her personality and everything about her. She always made my day. I will cherish my memories of her. God has a great angel. Prayers to you and your family. Deb Alexander "