Lois Marie Grace (Morten) McIntyre

CHARLES CITY, Iowa— Lois Marie Grace (Morten) McIntyre, 103, a former resident of Mason City, Iowa, died Nov. 24, 2018, at a Charles City, Iowa, Guest Home.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Major Erickson Funeral Home, Mason City, Iowa.

Services will be 10:30 a.m., Nov. 30, at the First Presbyterian Church, Mason City, with visitation one hour prior to service.

Private interment will be at the Hartington City Cemetery, Hartington.

Lois was born Feb. 18, 1915, to

George and Nell (Wisdom) Morten, at home in Spring Valley, just east of Hartington. She was baptized at Spring Valley Methodist Church, Cedar County. She graduated from the eighth grade at the Spring Valley School Dist. 32, and was a 1931 graduate of Hartington High School. Upon graduation from high school, she moved to Sioux City, Iowa, where she attended Comptometer School. She worked for Armour and Company for four years, Central Electric and Telephone Company for four years and Continental Baking Company for five years. She joined the First Presbyterian Church in November 1942, in Sioux City. She married Paul McIntrye Nov. 17, 1942, in the First Presbyterian Church parsonage, Sioux City, by Rev. Theo. Lilley, Pastor.

In 1951, her husband was transferred to Mason City, Iowa. After moving to Mason City, she joined the First Presbyterian Church April 3, 1955, where she taught seventh-ninth grade Sunday School classes for three years. She was an active Board Member for three years; Deacon for three years; Membership and Outreach Committee for three years; Mission Committee for three year; President of the Woman’s Association, serving two terms as Chairman of the Women’s Circles six times. She was also a member of the steering committee to make something positive after the death of Martin Luther King, Jr. Lois made arrangements with several Mason City churches to donate remaining rummage sales items to two Multi-Purpose Centers. She helped establish the ‘FISH’ organization in the late 1960’s, spearheaded by the St. John’s Episcopal Church, serving on the Board of Directors as Volunteer Coordinator and President for two years. She was also instrumental in starting the Charlie Brown Daily Care Center in July 1968, serving as a Board Member, opening its doors in the First Christian Church.

In Community Service Organizations, Lois helped organize the Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank, serving as a member of the Board of Directors for sevens years, volunteering in its daily operation for more than two years. She has also volunteered her services at the Information Center of the North Iowa Medical Center for six years. She served on the hospital’s Auxiliary Board as Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer. She has served at Handicap Village, Clear Lake, Iowa for four years. She organized the Mayor’s Commission on Youth and chaired it for three years and volunteered at MacNider Museum. She was a member of TTT Society, Questers, 20th Century Club and China Painters Club, being a State Board member for three years. In 1988, she received the Barbershop Harmony of Living Award for her community service.

As an active political leader for the Republican Party, she volunteered to organize and sponsor teenage Republican for two years. For her political activities, Lois received a letter of personal thanks from President George Bush, which she promptly framed!

Lois is a 20-year member of the Mason City Multi-Purpose Centers’ Advisory Council and Board of Directors and was an active participant in fundraising for the North and South Centers sponsored by the North Iowa Community Action. At times, she instructed elderly women how to knit, knitting mittens, scarves and baby caps, many times purchasing the supplies herself!

Lois has had a long-time challenging association with the Masonic Order, serving as Past Matron, and Past Worthy High Priestess. In addition she has received the Grand Cross of Colors. She has served as secretary of the Past Offices of Alchor Shrine and the Iowa Shrine Auxiliary. Her commitment as a Rainbow Mother continued for her lifetime. She had been a chairperson for numerous Masonic committees and willingly shares her artistic talents for use in raising funds of countless projects such as raising multiple hundreds of dollars for the Shriners’ Crippled Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minn.

In Lois’s Girl Scout activities, she has been a leader in the Grant School District for 17 years and was District Chairman in the Mason City area. Serving two years as Neighborhood Chairman, member of the Nominating, Training and Program Committees, and as a member of the Camp Committee for ten years, was Camp Chairman two times and served as Treasurer. She has also been a ‘Tri-T’ Chapter Treasurer, chairing fund raising campaigns. In 1998 Lois was on the Grants and Campership Committee and helped the Community relations task Group Festival Marching Unit-receiving the Mayor’s Award. Lois is a recipient of the “Thanks Badge”- the highest award in Girl Scouting for voluntary assistance.

Until the very end she continued to knit prayer shawls and baby caps.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents; Paul Alexander McIntyre, her husband for 61 1/2 years, who died June 23, 1994; and five brothers and one sister.

Lois is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial are to be given to The First Presbyterian Church or Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank.