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Paula C. Stittsworth
1932 - 2020
- Paula C. Stittsworth
November 10, 1932 - August 6, 2020
Paula Christina Stittsworth, 87, of Mason City, passed away on August 6,
2020 surrounded by family.
Due to Covid-19 concerns the family has decided to wait to celebrate
Paula’s life until such time as we can safely gather together. Those
wishing to send a card of condolence may send them to Jay Stittsworth,
1130 Manor Dr., Mason City, Iowa 50401.
Paula was born on her grandmother’s farm near Klemme, Iowa on November 10,
1932. She grew up attending Ell Township Country School #4 near the family
farm. After graduation from Klemme High School in 1949 she worked at
Gerardi’s Restaurant in Klemme to earn money for college. Paula completed
her two year degree in Elementary Education at what was then called the
Iowa State Teacher’s College in 1953 (University of Northern Iowa). Paula
taught public school in Greene, Iowa before moving to Forest City, Iowa to
become a Kindergarten teacher. She continued her education and earned her
BA in Elementary Education and Art in 1964 at the State College of Iowa (UNI).
It was while teaching in Forest City that Paula met the love of her life,
Wallace (Wally) Stittsworth. They were united in marriage on June 6, 1959
at Peace Reformed Church of Garner. They shared nearly fifty years
together until Wally’s death in 2009. Paula and Wally shared their love of
the outdoors and their spirit of service with their four children, Jon,
Sheri, Lisa, and Jay.
Paula grew up in faith and lived out her calling to serve others through
membership at Peace Reformed Church (Garner), First United Methodist
Church (Mason City) and during the summer months in fellowship with Walker
Community Church in Minnesota. From an early age Paula cultivated a love
of sewing, design, and crafting. She shared her talents through many
service missions like crafting children’s school bags for the United
Methodist Committee on Relief mission and sewing handicrafts for annual
church bazaar fundraisers. As long-time supporters of the “County Cousins”
mission project Paula and her husband Wally collected and delivered
clothing, garden seeds, school supplies, and toys to rural Mississippi for
more than three decades. The couple logged more than 3,600 hours of
service as volunteers with the Florida State Park Service over a period of
eighteen years.
Paula worked for many years as a real estate agent in Mason City. She was
a member of the P.E.O. service organization for more than fifty years.
Besides work and volunteer service she enjoyed many hobbies. She loved
tending her vegetables, plants, and flower gardens. Paula enjoyed
fellowship with her weekly card-playing group. Paula was an avid bowler
who competed for several years in local women’s bowling leagues. She
enjoyed waterskiing, downhill and cross-country skiing, and camping. Paula
and Wally shared their love of the outdoors at their cabin on Leech Lake
in Minnesota where she delighted in finding blueberry patches. She leaves
many to mourn her loss.
Paula is survived by her four children: Jon of Mason City; Sheri
(Fernando) Huerta of Dumfries, Virginia; Lisa (Brent) Rothgeb of Edina,
Minnesota; and Jay of Mason City; seven grandchildren; eight
great-grandchildren; sister Emily (George) Mikesh of Belmond; brothers
Fred Goll and Herman Goll of Klemme; brother-in-law Willis (Arla)
Stittsworth; uncle Kermit (Marlene) Sandersfeld and many nieces and
nephews. Paula was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Naomi Goll,
and by her husband, Wally.
Donations may be made to the causes that meant most to Paula: education
and service through faith. Two funds are established in the memory of
Paula and Wally: The Stittsworth Scholarship Fund and the Stittsworth
Fund. The “Stittsworth Scholarship Fund” will help pay for college
expenses for students at First United Methodist Church. Donations may be
sent to the “Stittsworth Scholarship Fund” c/o First United Methodist
Church, 119 South Georgia Avenue, Mason City, IA 50401. The “Stittsworth
Fund” will support church projects at Paula and Wally’s beloved summer
church in Walker, Minnesota. Donations may be sent to the “Stittsworth
Fund” c/o Walker Community United Church of Christ, P.O. Box 267, Walker,
MN 56484.4 Bold
source: © Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, 111 N.
Pennsylvania, Mason City, IA 50401, (641) 423-0924
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