63738_Kathryn Frances “Fran”_Gerdom

MASON CITY | Kathryn Frances “Fran” Gerdom, 91, of Mason City, Iowa, died Wednesday, January 29, 2014, at the Good Shepherd Health Center, Mason City, Iowa.

Family will greet friends from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, at the Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, Mason City, Iowa.

A private memorial service will be held at a later time. Family suggests memorials to Hospice of North Iowa.

Fran was born July 17, 1922, in Laredo, Missouri, the daughter of Oliver and Katie (Lein) Owens. She attended school in Grundy County and was a graduate of Laredo High School. She attended Chillicothe Business College in Chillicothe, Missouri, and in 1940, moved to Burlington, Iowa, where she was employed as a secretary at the Iowa Soap Company in Burlington.

She was married to Mark H. Gerdom January 31, 1942, in Canton, Missouri. He preceded her in death February 13, 1991, in Mason City, Iowa.

Following the war, the Gerdoms lived in Burlington for a number of years then moved to New Jersey. They later moved to Clinton, Iowa, where they lived for 30 years before moving to Mason City, Iowa, in 1990.

Fran retired in 1987, from International Paper Company, Clinton, Iowa, where she was employed as Executive Secretary to the Plant Manager.

While her sons were growing up she was involved in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. She enjoyed playing cards, socializing with her friends and traveling with her husband. Her greatest enjoyment in life was spending time with her family. She was a former member of First Presbyterian Church, Clinton, Iowa, and was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Mason City.

Fran is survived by her son Dennis (Tami) Gerdom, Mason City, Iowa; three grandchildren Sunni ( Jim) Lensing, Mason City, Iowa, Ashley (Ryan) Trousdale, Nora Springs, Iowa, and Lauren (Rob) Anderson, North Liberty, Iowa; four great-grandchildren Alex, Brandon, and Kathryn Wiman and Reese Trousdale; and one sister Roberta Brick, Trenton, Missouri, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Mark; son Gregory Gerdom and brother Charles Owens.

Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St. N.E., Mason City, Iowa. 641-423-2372. ColonialChapels.com.

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