Rhonda Lee Mast

January 31, 1940 - February 21, 2017

Rhonda Lee Mast of Corvallis, OR transitioned peacefully from this life on Tuesday, February 21st. She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith E. Mast in 2005. Born in Goshen, IN to Everett L. & Frances E. (Rule) Holderman. Rhonda graduated from the University of Colorado School of Nursing in 1962 and was employed as a surgery nurse at Goshen General Hospital until 1966. It was there she met her husband Keith, then an x-ray technician. After giving birth to their 2 daughters, Rhonda returned to work at her father’s grocery store, Everett’s, where she was well recognized in the community from her front office position. Upon retirement in 2005, Keith & Rhonda made the big move to Corvallis, OR in search of a milder climate and to be closer to their two daughters. Rhonda will be remembered for her gentleness, kindness, good humor and generosity. Her many artistic talents were expressed thru her homemaking skills including sewing clothes for the children and their dolls, baking pies and cookies to give away, and volunteer work thru her churches. She was a lifelong member of Goshen City Church of the Brethren, and in Corvallis at First United Methodist Church. She participated in the church choirs and bell choir, and volunteered for stone soup dinners, canning food for the local food bank, and quilting. Her creative work was always highly skillful. Her sewing and needlework brought many awards at the county fair, and she made personalized Raggedy Anne dolls for many lucky recipients. Reading was a lifelong love, particularly Westerns, Mysteries, and history. Crossword puzzles and games with the family were a constant. Maintaining bird feeders and wildflower gardens also occupied her time throughout her life, at each of her homes. Square dancing competitively was an activity while in college (with handmade costumes, of course). She had a skilled hand at watercolor painting and Chinese calligraphy. Traveling was always an important family activity. Many trips “out west” while growing up instilled a love of the mountains and American West in Rhonda. It was also reflected in her love of Western music and novels, and the reason she chose to attend school in Boulder, CO. For her family, each summer brought a carefully planned family road trip with the camper for several weeks. Visiting “her girls”, wherever they were living, was also important thru the years. She is survived by her daughters, Jennifer Mast of Gardiner, MT and Suzanna Mast of Corvallis; brother David Holderman of Goshen, IN, and her nieces. Memorial services will be held on May 6th at FUMC, and in Goshen, IN in late September. Donations can be direct to either church or The Nature Conservancy.