MASON G. OUDERKIRK Indianola Mason George Ouderkirk was born to Dr. Roy E. and Edith (Taylor) Ouderkirk in Reynolds, Illinois on May 26, 1923. Mason's mother passed away when he was five, and he and his brother, R. Elmer Ouderkirk Jr., were raised by their father and stepmother, Myrtle (Moore). Mr. Ouderkirk went on to live a great life until he passed on January 26, 2011, at age 87. He attended school in Reynolds where he developed a love of reading and debate. After graduating from Reynolds High School, Mason attended Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, before entering the Army in 1942; serving during World War II. A lucky bayonet wound got him a transfer to the Army Air Force where he studied aeronautical engineering and became an instructor teaching bomber engines. Mason was a disabled veteran and a member of the American Legion Post #165 in Indianola. Following the war and his honorable discharge in 1946, Mason returned to Knox College where he met his beloved wife, Florence in the fall semester of 1948. He pointed out that he liked her red glen plaid skirt and had a tie to match it. They were meant to be together. Mason and Flo married during semester break in November of 1948. They continued at Knox College until they transferred to Drake University in Des Moines. In 1951, Mason graduated from Drake University with a B.A. degree in education and also J.D. degree in law. Mason was a member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International. The Ouderkirks moved to Indianola in 1951 where Mason began practicing law, and his wife worked as a banker. His son, Mason J. Ouderkirk, was born in February of 1953. Soon, Flo left banking and worked beside Mason as office manager and secretary. Much of his law practice focused upon municipal law, and he represented many committees across the state. He was also one of the first planning and zoning administrators in Iowa. His son, Mason J. Ouderkirk, joined him in his law firm in 1978, and the two continued to practice together until his retirement. Mr. Ouderkirk was a member in the Iowa State Bar Association, American Bar Association and Warren County Bar Association from 1951 until his death. Though Mason truly enjoyed practicing law, he loved the other aspects of life more. It would be impossible to argue that he did not live life to the fullest. Mason enjoyed flying and logged thousands of hours as a private pilot. He and his wife traveled all over the world visiting 138 countries. Flo and Mason regularly visited Las Vegas. Though they did not believe in gambling they loved the bright lights, shows and jazz. Years ago, until he tried it, Mason said he would not want to be confined to a cruise ship. That was 38 cruises ago. He was an avid collector and especially fond of collecting cars, bronzes, watches and just about anything. As a young man, he developed a love for Dixieland Jazz, and he and his wife attended Jazz festivals around the U.S. and in many countries. He was a patron of the Illiana Club of Traditional Jazz, The St. Louis Jazz Society, The Greater Des Moines Jazz Club and a part owner of the West Des Moines Dixieland Jazz Band. He also was a patron of the Indianola Concert Association. Mason enjoyed carpentry. According to him, restoring an old house was relaxing, though his family and friends who helped him might argue with that. Actual relaxation was something that was rare for Mason. His secretaries frequently referred to him as "Pacin' Mason." Beginning in the early 1960s, he and his family spent summers at Lake Okoboji where he could actually relax. He loved to boat, ski, watch people, dine out and attend summer theatre. He was a patron of the Okoboji Summer Theatre and an instigating force in organizing the Milford Airport which services the Iowa Great Lakes for private pilots. Mason was instrumental in establishing the Indianola Memorial Swimming Pool and active contributor to other civic and educational projects. Most of all, though he never liked to admit it, Mason enjoyed people and never seemed to encounter a stranger. Whatever you were interested in, he would be interested in too and may have as a hobby. Mason enjoyed family and will be greatly missed. Mason is survived by his wife, Florence; son, Mason James Ouderkirk, along with his wife, Kari (Hormel), of Indianola; grandson, Mason C. Ouderkirk of Indianola; granddaughter, Rheanna (Ouderkirk) Edenburn, together with her husband, Paul, of Indianola; two great-grandchildren, Emily and Zachary Edenburn; sister-in-law, Virginia Ouderkirk, of Garner, Iowa; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother, and brother, R. Elmer Ouderkirk, Jr. Visitation will be held 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, January 28 at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola where family will be present to greet friend from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m., Saturday, January 29 at Overton Funeral Home with burial following in the I.O.O.F Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Indianola. Memorials may be made to the Indianola Concert Association, Okoboji Summer Theatre or the donor's charity of choice. On-Line condolences may be made to www.overtonfunerals.com.