Bessie Mason

Bessie Mason, 94, La Crosse, WI, died April 1, 2016, at Bethany Riverside Lutheran Home, La Crosse, WI. She was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia on February 28, 1922 to Earl and Goldie (Stevens) Kimble. On March 14, 1953, she married William L. Mason in Detroit, MI.

Bessie was a proud “Rosie the Riveter” during WWII at Willow Run bomber factory in Detroit, MI. She was a spiritual, kind, and gentle soul always seeing the best in everyone. Bessie was a wonderful mother to her children, and nanny to neighborhood children, some of whom maintained contact with Bessie through their adulthood.

She is survived by daughter Joyce (Jim/deceased) Mercer-Bjorge, Denver, CO; sons, William (Lenore) Mercer, Menomonie, WI; Jim (Barb) Mason, La Crosse, WI; John Mason, Denver, CO; and sister, Betty Jackson, Parkersburg, West Virginia; nieces and nephews.

Preceding Bessie in death were her husband; infant son, Tommy Earl Mason; parents; sister, Alice Dowler; and brothers, Bill Kimble, Jack Kimble, and Paul Kimble.

The family is grateful to the Bethany Riverside Lutheran Home staff for the outstanding care and love given to Bessie. A special thank you to Dr. Onsrud for many decades of devoted medical care.

Visitation will be held in the Faith and Light Chapel at Bethany Riverside Lutheran Home, La Crosse, WI, on Saturday, April 16, 2016, from 1:00PM – 2:00PM. A memorial service will be held following visitation at 2:00PM, with Pastor Lisa Shank officiating. Burial service will be held at the Sunset Ridge Cemetery Chapel, Kenosha, WI, on Monday, April 18, 2016, at 2:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be sent to Bethany Riverside Recreation Dept., c/o Bethany Riverside Lutheran Home, 2575 So. 7^th Street, La Crosse, WI 54601.