Beloved Educator, Wife, Mother, and Friend

Janelle Kay Mason, 55, passed away on Monday, September 22, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa, after bravely facing a battle with a rare neurological condition.

Born on February 15, 1970, in Marshalltown, Iowa, Janelle was the daughter of James William and Hazel Mae (Lage) Wright. She grew up with a loving family and graduated from Collins-Maxwell High School in 1988. Janelle excelled in golf and enjoyed playing the game with her folks and she did quite well and was offered an athletic scholarship to Iowa State. Janelle continued her education at Iowa State University, where she earned her undergraduate degree, majoring in education and communication. She was a proud Cyclone fan and from 1988 to 1992 cheered for football, basketball and wrestling as a member of the Iowa State Cyclone Cheer Squad.

On October 1, 1994, Janelle was united in marriage to Rory Mikel Mason at the Collins United Methodist Church in Collins, Iowa—a church lovingly built under the leadership of Rory's stepfather and Janelle's father. Together, Janelle and Rory built a life filled with love, adventure, and family, raising their two sons, Dylan and Paul.

Janelle's passion for learning was lifelong and contagious. In 2002, she expanded her academic achievements by earning a master's degree in education from Western Connecticut State University. While living abroad in Switzerland from 2004 to 2011, she continued her studies and earned a master's degree in reading from Cambridge University. Ever the resolute scholar, Janelle later completed her PhD in curriculum writing from the University of Phoenix.

Her teaching career spanned several school districts, including Lincoln High School, West Des Moines Valley, Fort Dodge, New Milford and Newtown, Connecticut. She also taught ESL at the Rhein International Academy in Germany. Janelle inspired countless students through her instruction in American literature, ESL, drama, speech, radio, and as a cheerleading coach.

Janelle was a devoted member of the Nevada First United Methodist Church. She contributed her time and talents to many organizations, including the National Forensics League/ National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA), Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA), American Women's Club of Basel (AWC), Federation of Women's Clubs Overseas (FAWCO), FAWCO Alumnae USA (FAUSA), and the 4-H Foundation.

She loved traveling internationally and enjoyed the many different cuisines around the world, photography, gardening, and cooking. While living in Basel, Switzerland, Janelle was among the first foreigners to be accepted into a Fasnacht clique, a very local and exclusive cultural experience.

Janelle is survived by her loving husband, Rory of Nevada; her sons, Dylan and Paul Mason, both at home; her brothers, Thomas (Susan) Wright, and James Jr. (Sarah) Wright, both of Collins; and her sister, Rebecca (Wayne) Minnick of Ames. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Hazel Wright.

A visitation honoring Janelle's life will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, October 3, 2025, at Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home (1418 Fawcett Parkway) in Nevada.. Her funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church (1036 7th Street) in Nevada. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFov_FvUxy8. Janelle will be laid to rest privately at the Evergreen Cemetery in Collins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to establish a scholarship in Janelle's name.

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada has been entrusted with the care of Janelle and her arrangements. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.rasmussonfh.com.

Janelle's unwavering spirit, dedication to education, and love for her family and community will be deeply missed and long remembered. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the memories she created with all who knew her.