Vyra Mae Dawley was born at the Family home a few miles southwest of Burr Oak, Iowa on December 14, 1914 to Charles and Cordelia (Crane) Dawley. The eleventh of twelve children. She attended the Lost Nation and Coldwater Schools and was a member of the Burr Oak Clever Clover 4-H Club. After graduating from 8th grade, she worked at home and cared for nephews and nieces when needed. On January 14, 1939 she was united in marriage to Victor Masters at the Methodist Church in Decorah, Iowa. They farmed near Canton, retiring in 1967 and moving into Canton. Vyra worked at Green Lea Manor in Mabel for 19 years, and then as a home healthcare aid for 5 years. She travelled throughout the United States on tours, played cards, did crossword puzzles, quilted, and read theBible daily. When she was young, she attended the Advent Christian Church in Burr Oak, and was a 61 year member of Canton-Scotland Presbyterian Church.
Vyra passed away Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at St. John’s Lutheran Home in Albert Lea, Minnesota at the age of 99.
Vyra is survived by son Darrell (Bette) Masters of Canton; daughters Darlene Casterton of Albert Lea, and Marian Masters (Darrel Zweifel) of Bullhead City, Arizona; grandchildren Alan (Amy) Casterton, Angela (Craig) Padgett, Gary (Melissa Maloney) Masters, Terry (Michelle) Masters, Kelly (Cristi Schulte) Masters, and Jana (Brock Elton) Masters; great grandchildren Loren (Britt) Lynch, Natassja Elliott, Brockton (Cara) Casterton, Colton (Megan) Casterton, Tanner Casterton, Davis Casterton, Brian (Jill) Draayer, Dakota and Phoenix Shephard, Cara, Hannah, Justin, and Brian Masters, Collin and Cole Tweten, Abby, Blake, and Hayden Hansen; sisters-in-law Ellen Dawley and Betty Dawley; and many nephews and nieces.
Vyra was preceded in death by her husband Victor in 1979; grandson David Casterton; son-in-law Raymond Draayer; parents Charles and Cordelia Dawley; brothers Edwin (Leona) Dawley, Thomas Dawley, Clarence (Esther) Dawley, Harry (June & Agnes) Dawley, John (Edna) Dawley, Jesse (Cecelia) Dawley, Roscoe Dawley, and Clifford Dawley; sisters Mabel (Lewis) Brandt, Grace (Justin Brown and Kenneth) Morgan, and Lottie (Ecil) Good; father-in-law and Mother-in-law Guy and Edna (Morrison) Masters; brothers-in-law Lyle (Sena) Masters and Howard (Norma) Masters; sisters-in-law Nellie Masters, Vera (Clarence) Hovey, and Ethel (Henry) Mastellar.
Funeral service will be 11 am, Saturday, April 12 at the Canton –Scotland Presbyterian Church in Canton with Rev. LeRoy Haynes officiating. Burial will be in the Burr Oak Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:30 – 11 am Saturday at the church. |
