Kalliope passed peacefully into the loving arms of our Lord and entered into the Kingdom of Heaven on January 20, 2024. Born July 16, 1931 in Mason City as the child of Greek immigrant parents, Kalliope was a proud lifelong resident of Mason City and Clear Lake.
Growing up, Kalliope had an appreciation for music, studying and playing the piano and singing in the church and school choirs, exhibited an interest in education and learning, and developed an enthusiasm and talent for cooking. She enjoyed spending summers at her parents’ lake house on Clear Lake. Kalliope graduated from Mason City High School, NIACC and Iowa State University, graduating with a degree in mathematics. At Iowa State, Kalliope was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and the Iowa State Singers choral ensemble. After graduation, Kalliope continued her post-graduate studies in and taught mathematics at Iowa State. After marrying Tom, the couple moved to Mason City and started their family. Kalliope continued teaching math and eventually ended up teaching at four of her alma maters – Monroe Junior High School, Mason City High School, NIACC and Iowa State.
Kalliope had a lifelong passion for education, teaching and learning, was a well-regarded educator, a fixture at the math lab at NIACC for decades and a popular math instructor and tutor. In addition to teaching, Kalliope was a founding member, an Advisory Board member and on the faculty of the Lifelong Learning Institute at NIACC and an enthusiastic student in NIACC’s adult education program for many years, including post-retirement, routinely enrolling in a wide spectrum of classes pursuing her love of learning. She also enjoyed being an avid member of the same book club for over 50 years.
Kalliope’s parents owned and operated The Green Mill restaurant, a Mason City institution that renowned restaurant critic and epicurean Duncan Hines recommended as “The Finest West of Chicago.”
Her upbringing and early exposure to the restaurant business, coupled with the tutelage of her mother (who was an excellent cook), sparked her interest, curiosity and creativity in the culinary arts. Due to the demands of the restaurant business on her parents’ time, at a very young age Kalliope prepared the family’s daily meals at home. Kalliope became an exceptional chef and baker and had a well-recognized and well-deserved reputation for her culinary excellence. A gracious hostess, she delighted and entertained friends and family with her delicious creations. Her house had two kitchens, both often operating simultaneously.
After retiring from teaching, Kalliope moved to Clear Lake and loved the lake lifestyle. She was active with the Clear Lake Arts Center, a docent at MacNider Museum and a participant in the early morning watering of the hanging flower baskets downtown Clear Lake. A strong patriot and proud American, she celebrated July 4th with enthusiasm attending the annual parade, hosting a July 4th celebration and ringing her liberty handbells commemorating the Declaration of Independence.
Kalliope was a devoted, caring and loving mother and grandmother and delighted in supporting her children and grandchildren in their school and extra-curricular activities. She was deeply proud of her family not only for their accomplishments, but in the people they had become. She will be missed dearly but her example survives as an inspiration.
Kalliope loved Mason City and Clear Lake. She touched many lives and left her mark on the hearts of those who knew and loved her. She will be remembered for her genuine love and concern for people.
Kalliope is preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Voula, and her brother Anthony Papantonis. She is survived by her son Van and daughter-in-law, Leigh, and grandchildren Mark (Alden) and Grace, Dallas, Texas; her daughter Stephanie and son-in-law, Mike Durkin, and granddaughter Alle, Houston, Texas; and her son Paul and granddaughters Sophie, Olivia and Alexis, Dallas, Texas.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the doctors, nurses and staff at Good Shepherd and MercyOne for their extraordinary support, care, kindness and compassion, and to all family and friends who offered and provided assistance, friendship and prayer.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 1311 2nd Street SW, Mason City. A Trisagion service followed by visitation will be held from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning. Interment will be in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery immediately following the funeral services.
In lieu of flowers and customary remembrances, memorials may be made in Kalliope’s name to Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in care of Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapels, 126 3rd Street NE, Mason City, Iowa 50401, (641) 423-2372. Colonialchapels.com
