In Memory of Madeline C. McTasney

Madeline C. McTasney, age 93, of California formerly of Odebolt, Iowa passed away on Thursday, July 30, 2015, in California.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 28, 2015 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church of Odebolt, Iowa. The Father Ronald J. Bengford will officiate. Burial will follow in the St. Martin’s Catholic Cemetery of Odebolt, Iowa; Visitation will be held a half hour before Mass from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 28, 2015 at the St. Martin’s Catholic Church of Odebolt, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com 

 
Madeline was born in Odebolt, Iowa, the oldest of thirteen children of Bernard and Irma (Dinges) Bengford. She had a beautiful smile, was kinds, caring and a good listener. After high school graduation she married John M. “Jack” McTasney, and they were blessed with a son. Later they parted ways. Madeline and her son, John B., moved back to Odebolt where Madeline helped her widowed mother raise her younger siblings. She also worked as a telephone switchboard operator for many years. In 1955 she enrolled at Briar Cliff College where she earned a teaching certificate, and taught elementary school students in St. Louis, MO and Sioux City, IA. While teaching in Sioux City she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Educations. Madeline also enjoyed traveling and working on community projects with her friends. Visits to her grandchildren included a trip to Iceland where her son was stationed as a military pilot. She also traveled to Israel with a church group. Community activities included the American Legion Auxiliary, the Tuesday Morning Club, the Odebolt Memorial Walk and being named a Briar Cliff College Alumnus of the Year. Periodically her brothers and sisters would have a family reunion in Odebolt involving hundreds of cousins coming from all over the United States and sharing fond memories. After retiring from teaching she helped care for her mother in Odebolt until Irma passed away. In 2010 she moved to California to be near her son and his family. At the age of 93, she passed away peacefully under hospice care with her family beside her. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Madeline is survived by her son and his wife, Jo Ann, four grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren, her two sisters: Mary Jean and Margie, and her brother, Norman Bengford.