Bernadine Caldwell

Bernadine F. Caldwell, 83, passed away into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on May 11, 2007, surrounded in love by the family that cherished her beyond measure. She is our “Grandma Bean” and we will forever hold her close in our hearts. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 18, 2007, at Ankeny First United Methodist Church, 206 SW Walnut, in Ankeny, Iowa. Visitation, with family present, will be from 6-8:00 p.m., May 17, 2007 at Faith Center, 7384 NW 16th Street in Crocker Township.
Bernie was born October 14, 1923 in Granger, Iowa. She was the daughter of Georgia and Phillip Finestead and sister of Ray, Dale and Carol Jean. She loved growing up on the farm in Granger and had so many wonderful memories of those years. She moved to Des Moines and graduated from the American Institute of Business. She began working for the State of Iowa and retired many years later as a Criminal Analyst with the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
She loved to bowl, play cards with her neighbors, and was active in her church life. But her greatest love was always the time spent with her family. From her first child through her last great-grandchild, she attended programs, sporting evens, Grandparents Days and events too numerous to mention. She was always there for all of us.
She is survived by her loving daughters, Lorraine Maring and Renee (David) Rittman, both of Ankeny; a brother, Dale (Marty) Finestead of Granger; a sister Carol Jean (Don) of Des Moines; a sister-in-law Marion of Granger; seven grandchildren, Dennis Maring, Jr. of Ankeny, Becky (Greg) Gonnerman of Des Moines, Trent (Lesa) Maring of Elkhart, Lisa (Bill) Knudten of Ankeny, Tori Rittman, Taylor Rittman, and Jordyn Rittman all of Ankeny; and seven great-grandchildren, Chrissy Ewoldt of Knoxville, Grant and Alyssa Gonnerman of Des Moines, Luke and Reilly Maring of Elkhart, and Kylie and Caitlin Knudten of Ankeny; along with many loving cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents Georgia and Phillip Finestead, her brother Ray Finestead, and nephew David Finestead, and great-nephew David Scott Finestead.
The heartache of losing this precious mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend is almost more than we can bear, but her legacy is a family unit that will withstand the sadness as we draw our strength from the love we have for each other. We have all been so blessed to have the precious gift of your love in our lives. You will be forever in our hearts.
It was her wish that memorials be made to her church, Faith United Methodist Church, Ankeny.

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