Obituary: Letha May Reynolds Mason - Class of 1933

MADISON - Letha May Reynolds Mason, age 90, died on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2006, after a long battle with Alzheimer's, surrounded by her loving family at her Madison home. Letha was born on Oct. 18, 1915, at home on E. Washington Ave., Madison, to Alex Reynolds and Elsie Liebenow Reynolds. At age 8, her family moved to a home at 544 W. Wilson St. Built in 1843, it still remains one of Madison's oldest residences. Letha attended Madison Central High School where she met her future husband, Glen Mason. They married in 1934 and had one daughter, Barbara, in 1938. Letha was an active member of St. Marks Lutheran Church in Madison, worked in sales at Manchester's and was a devoted wife and mother. She and Glen traveled the world. Letha's special interests included genealogy, (finding an ancestor, Samuel Fuller, who arrived on the Mayflower); wildflower gardening; art and craftwork; writing poetry and music; and entertaining at her home at 5102 Odana Road. She was a great cook, loved all nature, and was very kind. She is survived by her grandson, Tom Schulz and his wife JoAnn; great-grandchildren, Sarah Kulagin (Maxim) and Aaron Michie of Madison; son-in-law, Ken Schultz (Marsha) of Madison; niece, Alice (Don) Schmitt of North Carolina and family; and nephew, James Annen of Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1982; her daughter in 1991; and her grandson, John Schulz, in 1994. Her only sister, Geraldine Annen, also battled Alzheimer's until her death in 2001. Letha's kind heart never faltered even after tragic losses. Services will be held on Friday, Sept. 15, 2006, at 6 p.m., with visitation one hour preceding at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive. Burial will be at a future time at Roselawn in Madison. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer's Association, 517 N. Segoe Road, Suite 301, Madison, WI 53705. Special thanks to HospiceCare, Oakwood Village West-Hebron Oaks, Prancy Willis and Dr. Elizabeth O'Brien for assisting Letha's family with her care during her illness. We could not have done it without you. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 13, 2006

Note: The class year for Letha May Reynolds Mason is based on information in the 1933 Orange and Black yearbook, which features her senior photo in the section on June graduates.