06/05/2016
Marita Marcella Mastrofski, 91 of Indianola and formerly West Des Moines, IA died June 5, 2016 at Westview Care Center, Indianola.
Born September 4, 1924, in Knoxville, IA, she was the third of twelve children of Benjamin and Nellie Gholson.
After graduation from Knoxville High School, with the Class of 1942, she attended Drake University majoring in theatre, and also worked at the Ankeny munitions plant where she met her husband-to-be, Jack.
They married in 1944 and journeyed to NYC to make their way in the world of fine arts. After four years they returned to Iowa where Marita worked for her father as a tax preparer.
She continued doing tax work for 68 years. She also maintained her involvement in theatre in the Des Moines area for 70 years. But her dedication to family and friends towered above all other commitments.
Her entire adult life friends and family sought her wisdom and appreciated her non-judgmental acceptance of those in her life.
Marita was predeceased in 2015 by her husband of seventy years, Jack.
She is survived by four sisters: Adrienna Clark (Lewis), Sally Garfield, Susan Gholson and Michaeleen Parks. Surviving children are: Stephen Mastrofski (Jennifer), Robin Vanderhoef (Russell) and Aaron Mastrofski.
Surviving grandchildren: Melissa Ferguson, Danielle Vanderhoef, Amelia Ruiz, Daniel Mastrofski, and Eric Mastrofski.
Predeceased siblings: Jauson Streeter, Clover Gholson, Jalene Wilson, Cherri Pitcher, Harrison Gholson, Francesanne Fountain, and Molly Schoonover.
Westview of Indianola staff provided attentive care and support during her last two years. Private burial of cremains will be at Resthaven Cemetery, WDM, arranged by Celebrate Life Iowa. A celebration of life event will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made in Marita's name to the Drake Theatre Fiderlick Scholarship Fund, Repertory Theatre of Iowa (rtiowa.com), and Stage West (stagewestiowa.com).
For a full obituary, visit www.celebratelifeiowa.com.
Published in Des Moines Register on June 19, 2016