RANDALL ARTHUR MASON

Randy passed away Saturday, June 14, 2025, at home surrounded by his wife, children, and sister after a year-long battle with cancer.

Randall Arthur Mason was born September 9, 1952, in Redfield, SD, to Daelyn Arthur and Mary Lucille (Hurst) Mason. He was raised on the farm near Frankfort and spent his childhood making memories with his younger brother & sister and many 1st cousins. Randy was a Frankfort Falcon until the school closed after his 4th grade year then he became a Doland Wheeler, participating in football, wrestling and track. During his senior year he began dating Marilyn Hill who later became his wife on November 25, 1972, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Doland. Randy and Marilyn raised their children Audrey (1975), Ross (1976), and Jocelyn (1978) in Doland. Randy worked for the SD DOT and retired at 55 after 36 years of service. He then drove bus for the Doland School District and in between routes left time for playing cards. He was an usher & lector at church, volunteer firefighter, and played league softball in Frankfort for many years. He loved a good bargain and auction sales, always keeping an eye out for the missing piece to his collections. A trip to Valley Fair and a Minnesota Twins game every summer and many camping weekends with friends, including the annual Canoe Races at Fisher Grove State Park, made lasting family memories. He enjoyed attending his children’s and, especially, his grandchildren’s activities. He and his kids never missed an opportunity for a competitive game of pinochle when they were all together. While he rooted for the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was always more interested in his numerous Fantasy Football teams & being Commissioner for the Family League. They moved to Watertown in 2015, but continued to have strong ties to the Doland Community returning weekly on Wednesdays, while Marilyn cut hair, for “Coffee Talk” & “Happy Hour”. He enjoyed the new friendships made at the Watertown Senior Citizen Center, including being a part of the board. He looked forward to competing in the Senior Olympics every year. Randy never met a stranger and enjoyed striking up a conversation with everyone who crossed his path. Once a friend, always a friend.

Celebrating his life is his family. Wife, Marilyn; daughter, Audrey (Matthew) Schuller, Britton, and grandsons, William, Nathaniel, Charles, and Leo; son, Ross (Melissa) Mason, Sioux Falls and granddaughters, Hope and Sydney; daughter, Jocelyn (Kyle) Schroeder, Florence, and grandsons, Mason (Morgan), Andrew, James, and Zachary and great-granddaughter, Avery Schroeder; sister, Tammy (Tony) Peterson, Wolsey; brother-in-law, Gene (Cindy) Hill, Thornton, CO; sister-in-law, Linda (Rollie) White, Aberdeen; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Daelyn and Mary Mason; in-laws, Leo and Eunice Hill; and brother, Rick Mason.