MASON CITY — Mary Irene Stanton, 89, of Mason City, passed away Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.
Mary Irene was born June 25, 1937, in Sioux City, the daughter of Thomas H. and Helen Brenner Rivers. She graduated from Central High School in 1955.
According to her obituary, Mary Irene enjoyed performing in school plays and played the flute and piccolo in the high school band and orchestra. She later attended Iowa State Teachers College, now known as the University of Northern Iowa.
Mary Irene began her teaching career as a first-grade teacher at Union Township near Le Mars, serving there for two years.
She married Harry A. Stanton in 1958, and the couple became the parents of five children. Their family lived in several Iowa communities through the years, including Le Mars, Battle Creek, Pomeroy, Manchester, Iowa Falls and Spencer before settling in Mason City.
Education and service remained important parts of Mary Irene’s life. She taught religious education in many of the communities where her family lived and worked with students ranging from preschoolers to high school seniors.
In 1977, she taught preschool at the YMCA in Spencer. After moving to Mason City, she worked in the Head Start office, in the Continuing Education office at North Iowa Area Community College and as an Adult Basic Education instructor.
Mary Irene was a devoted member of Epiphany Parish in Mason City. According to her obituary, she was also an associate of the Sisters of the Presentation and participated in mission work in South Dakota, Mississippi and other locations.
She belonged to the Athenian Study Club and Monday Study Club. Mary Irene enjoyed playing bridge and other card and board games, and she liked creating cards to send to family members and friends.
She is survived by her children, Lyndy and Dave Werdin, Suzanne Stanton, Patrick and Brenda Stanton, Cindy and Dan Langanki, and Sarah and Ron Cray; grandchildren Maxwell Werdin, Molly and Jerome Berle, Erin Logan, Laura Stanton, Ryan Stanton, Thomas Stanton, Jessica and Ryan Sundmark, Julie Cray and Dean Leong, and Kimberly and Anthony Hale; and great-grandchildren Penny Leong, Scarlett Hale, Abigail Hale and Kennedy Sundmark.
Mary Irene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harry; and her brothers, Thomas J. Rivers and Donald L. Rivers.
Visitation was held from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, July 6, 2026, at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third Street NE in Mason City.
A rosary and prayer service followed at 6 p.m. at the funeral home.
Visitation continued for one hour before the funeral Mass on Tuesday.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at Epiphany Parish — Holy Family Catholic Church, 722 North Adams Avenue in Mason City. The Rev. Ben Valentine served as celebrant.
Interment followed at Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City.
The family suggested memorial contributions to Epiphany Parish, the missions of the Sisters of the Presentation, the American Lung Association or a charity selected by the donor.
Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel is handling arrangements. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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