ROCK FALLS — Margaret B. Jost, 98, of Rock Falls, died peacefully at her home on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 12, at Old Stone Methodist Church in Rock Falls, with Pastor Lumiere Kapend officiating.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, September 11, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. in Mason City.
Inurnment will follow the celebration of life at Rock Falls Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Margaret’s family.
Margaret Blanche Mathews was born June 4, 1928, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, the eldest of four children born to George and Francis Low Mathews. Her family later moved to Iowa, and Margaret graduated from Mason City High School.
Margaret loved being around people and remained highly social throughout her life. As a young woman, she enjoyed weekend dances, and one of those outings would change the course of her life.
She met Dean Jost while dancing at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. The two became engaged and were married November 5, 1950, at Old Stone Methodist Church in Rock Falls, shortly before Dean was deployed during the Korean War.
Following his military service, Margaret and Dean built their life together and raised four children. Their marriage lasted more than 55 years before Dean’s death in 2005.
Margaret also had a lengthy career in North Iowa journalism. She began working full time for the Globe Gazette before the birth of her first daughter, Diane. She later worked part time while her children were young before returning to full-time employment.
Her career with the newspaper ultimately spanned 41 years.
Margaret’s outgoing personality carried into nearly every part of her life. She was known for remembering birthdays and annually mailed more than 200 birthday cards to relatives and friends.
She also developed a talent for decorating cakes. What began with birthday cakes eventually grew into making wedding cakes and other creations for people who asked for her help.
Margaret enjoyed playing cards and participated in numerous card clubs. She was also part of a bowling league alongside her mother, daughters and friends.
Retirement did little to slow her down. Margaret continued meeting friends for breakfasts and lunches and was known for helping older friends when they needed assistance.
Her longtime connection to Old Stone Methodist Church also remained important throughout her life.
Margaret is survived by her children, Diane Beverly, Ronald Jost and his wife, Barbara, Pamela Jost and Lori Ann Jost; siblings Mary Koeber and George Mathews Jr. and his wife, Pam; grandchildren Melissa Brannen and her husband, Jason, Brian Beverly, Sarah Jost, Ashley Jost, Ronald Jost II, and Jade Miller and her husband, Jake; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
She is also survived by sisters-in-law Donna Miller, Linda Weatherwax and her husband, Cliff, and Julie Haugen and her husband, Roger, along with many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Dean; her parents, George and Francis Mathews; her parents-in-law, August and Caroline Jost; sister Dorothy Wetter and her husband, Gerald; son-in-law Paul Beverly; brothers-in-law Leo Jost and his wife, Karen, and Jerry Koerber; and other relatives and friends.
Margaret’s family expressed appreciation to caregivers Ashley Groves, Cari Wittman and Kelly Neuberger, hospice nurse Darla, and the staffs of St. Croix Hospice and Cornerstone Caregiving for the care provided to her.
Major Erickson Funeral Home and Crematory of Mason City is handling arrangements. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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