MASON CITY — Carolyn Mae Berding, 82, of Mason City, died October 22, 2026, at Rockwell Nursing Home under the care of St. Croix Hospice, leaving a family that treasured her kindness and a community she served through 33 years of work at Mercy Hospital.
Visitation will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Monday, October 26, at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third Street NE in Mason City. The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Jani Dahlin of St. Croix Hospice officiating. Burial will follow at Rock Grove Cemetery in Nora Springs.
Born November 13, 1943, in Nora Springs, Carolyn was the daughter of Marshall and Mabel (Robertson) McManus. She graduated from Nora Springs-Rock Falls High School and continued her education at Hamilton College.
Carolyn married LeRoy Edward Berding on March 23, 1964, in Mason City. Their marriage spanned 62 years, with family at the center of the life they shared.
For 33 years, Carolyn worked in Mercy Hospital’s administration office. Away from work, she enjoyed tending flowers and gardens, baking, reading and sewing. Genealogy offered another way to explore the family connections that meant so much to her.
Time with her loved ones mattered most. Her family described a life guided by the kindness, compassion and forgiveness expressed in Ephesians 4:32 — values they saw reflected in the way she treated others.
Carolyn is survived by her husband, LeRoy Edward Berding Sr.; children, LeRoy (Dori Jo) Berding Jr. and Steven (Sue) Shipman; and son-in-law, Ron Bartusek.
She also leaves grandchildren Jarred (Cassie) Berding, Andrea (Seth) Rickel, Blake Shipman and Brandon Shipman; great-grandchildren Easton Shipman and Emilyn Berding; siblings Sandra Prescott, Helen Smith and Michael McManus; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Diane Bartusek; her parents, Marshall and Mabel McManus; granddaughter Stephanie Shipman; siblings Shirley Neve, Norman McManus, Alice Smith, Linda Hartwig and Mary Grauerholz; and other family members and close friends.
Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel is assisting the family. Memories and condolences may be shared through Carolyn’s obituary and tribute wall.
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