Sterling Mason

Sterling Lane Mason, 89, of Idaho Falls, passed away Friday, April 6, 2012, at Fairwinds-Sand Creek Retirement Community. He was under the care of his family and Aspen Home Health and Hospice. Sterling was born September 4, 1922, in Poplar, Idaho, to Joseph Henry Mason and Eleanor Armstrong Mason. He graduated from Ririe High School and continued his education at Ricks College, Brigham Young University-Provo, graduating in 1949 with degrees in Accounting, Economics and Spanish. He passed the CPA exam while earning his MBA at Northwestern University. Sterling served his country in the United States Coast Guard as a Quartermaster during World War II, serving on the USCG Roger B. Taney, seeing action in North Africa and the Pacific. On August 9, 1949, he married Lelia Christiansen in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Together they raised six children. Sterling worked as a Certified Public Accountant and Business Consultant and as the Senior Partner and Managing Director of the accounting firm, Burnett, Humphries, & Mason. Lelia passed away June 13, 2011. An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in many positions, including Stake Athletic Director, Stake Auditor, Stake Sunday School President, Stake High Councilman, High Priest Group Leader, Ward Elders Quorum President, counselor, instructor, Sunday School counselor and President, first counselor in Bishopric, Choir Director, Gospel Doctrine Teacher, Primary Teacher, President of YMMIA, Priests Advisor, High Priest Group Instructor, home teacher and choir member. Sterling and Lelia served a full-time mission to the Alabama Birmingham Mission. Sterling was involved in many community organizations: Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, the Jaycees, and singing with “The Fallsmen” Barbershop Quartet SPEBSQSA. Sterling enjoyed singing, fishing, reading, joke-telling, gardening, and tinkering with whatever was broken. He loved to farm the back yard. He especially cherished spending time with his 29 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren. Survivors include: Daughter: Madelaine Mason (Dean) Nyffeler of Price, UT; Son: Kimball Wesley (Kristine) Mason of Idaho Falls, ID; Daughter: Elizabeth Mason (John) Wright of Pocatello, ID Son: Paul Christopher (Laura) Mason of Idaho Falls, ID Son: Joseph Byron (Colleen) Mason of Nampa, ID Son: Thomas Albert (Jennifer) Mason of Los Alamos, NM Sisters: Berenice Young of Salt Lake City, UT and Rita Demming of Idaho Falls, ID; He was preceded in death by his wife, Lelia; five brothers, Harlan Mason, Byron Mason, Basil Mason, Monte Mason, and Jack Mason; and by his sister, Vivienne Andersen. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 14, 2012, at the Idaho Falls LDS Mountain View Ward, 1450 Mountain View Lane, with Bishop Michael Hays officiating. The family will visit with friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, and Saturday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Ririe-Shelton Cemetery. Military Rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and Idaho Honor Guard.

Funeral Services -- Saturday

11:00 a.m. ,Saturday, April 14, 2012 Idaho Falls LDS Mountain View Ward 1450 Mountain View Lane Idaho Falls, ID 83402 Notes: The family will visit with friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, and Saturday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Ririe-Shelton Cemetery.