Cleo Fern Anderson

February 13, 1919 - January 20, 2018

Cleo Fern Anderson, 98, of Mason City, IA died surrounded by her family on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Good Shepherd Nursing Home. A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. with a 6:30 p.m. Rosary and Vigil Service on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at Fullerton Funeral Home, 123, 2nd St SE, Mason City. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at Epiphany Parish-St. Joseph Catholic Church, 302 5th St SE, Mason City. Father Austin Wilker will be officiating. A private family inurnment will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery. Cleo was born on February 13, 1919 in rural Garner, IA to Michael Leroy McCormick and Inez Rosalie (Shaver) McCormick. She was the oldest of seven children and grew up then attended schools in Garner. After high school she earned her nursing degree in Sioux City, IA. Cleo was a registered nurse and enlisted during WWII in the United States Army. In 1944 she was honorably discharged as a Lieutenant. On January 1, 1951, Cleo was united in marriage to John Carl Anderson in Fort Hood, TX. To their union, two children were born, Stephen and David. Cleo worked with her sister Reta at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital for 10 years; where she retired in 1984. Cleo had also worked as a nurse in Belmond, IA and California. She moved to Mason City in 1989 and for the last ten years was a resident at Good Shepherd Nursing Home. Throughout her life, Cleo enjoyed playing cards, reading and golfing. She loved traveling and drove yearly with her family from Belmond, IA to California. Cleo had visited every state, except Alaska. She was a people person and loved visiting with others. Cleo was always very strong willed and the matriarch of her family. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, American Nursing Association and VETS. Cleo is survived by her son, David (Carolyn) Anderson of Mason City; brother, Dan McCormick; sisters, Ruth Kilgore, Reta Kerdus and Jean Malley; six grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Anderson; parents, Michael and Inez McCormick; son, Stephen Anderson and brothers, Mike and Larry McCormick. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family. Arrangements are with Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 2nd St SE, Mason City, IA 50401, 641-423-8676 www.Fullertonfh.com Facebook/Fullertonfuneralhomes