Mary Ruth White
September 30, 2013
Mary Ruth Bristol White, 95, passed away Monday, September 30, 2013 at Wesley Acres due to heart and kidney failure. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at West Des Moines United Methodist Church, 720 Grand Avenue in West Des Moines. Family will greet friends one hour prior to the service. Burial of the cremains will be later at the Masonic Cemetery in Des Moines, IA.
Mary was born on December 26, 1917 in Des Moines at the home of her parents, Fred and Ethel Bristol. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1936 and then earned her BA with an emphasis in early childhood education from the Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) in 1940. While in college, Mary met Hubert William White and they married in 1940. They lived in Waterloo, Des Moines, and Norman, OK where Hubert served in the Navy. The couple returned to Iowa in 1946 and settled in West Des Moines where Mary was a homemaker and the family enjoyed celebrations with family and friends, church activities and vacations. Mary returned to teaching in 1960 to 1974 in the Urbandale School District as a kindergarten teacher. She was a member of West Des Moines United Methodist Church for over 60 years, a volunteer at Iowa Methodist Medical Center and Blank Children’s Hospital for over 33 years, and an active member for life in the National Education Association, Des Moines Area Retired School Personnel Association, and The King’s Daughters and Sons for 50 years.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Charlotte J. Burt of Des Moines, IA; son, Fred B. (Noele) White of Honolulu, HI; grandson, Kevin J. Burt of Ames, IA; daughter-in-law, Leanne White of Plano, TX; and sister-in-law, Marguerite Dennis of Victorville, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings; her husband of 52 years; and son, David of Plano, TX.
Mary’s family wishes to thank all her relatives and friends for their loving contributions toward making her life fulfilling.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Blank Children’s Hospital, 1200 Pleasant Street, Des Moines, IA 50309 or to West Des Moines United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Cheryl Hoeg
10/05/2013
I had the pleasure of talking with Mary when she volunteered at the hospital. She was delightful. I truly have missed her.
Judy Coldiron
10/05/2013
To Charlotte and Fred...I enjoyed visiting with your mom. Seems like we ran into each other at Dahl's quite often. We always had fun talking about education and the "way things used to be". I admired her spirit and enthusiasm. She will be missed.
Teresa Rost
10/04/2013
To Fred and Noele,
I am very sorry for your loss. Mrs. White was very nice to my son, Chris at your wedding. And I really appreciated for that. I pray that she would be happy in heaven reuniting with her family who passed before her and most of all with God.
Dee McFadden Townsend
10/04/2013
Charlotte and Fred...your folks were very special people in the neighborhood...remember well, your Dad was one of the first "runners" to see out on the street....your Mom was a friend to all of us.....ran in to her at Methodist Hospital a couple of years ago...yep, she was there volunteering...a ray of sunshine for all...you can be well proud and know you are thankful for her life....as are we, the Ninth Street Alumni.......
Missy (Wortman) Johansen
10/03/2013
What a lovely lady! Mrs. White was my kindergarten teacher at Olmsted Elementary School. I last saw her at her birthday celebration several years ago - she was so happy to meet my children and listen to their stories of school. She will be greatly missed, but so fondly remembered!
Carol McCullough Conner
10/03/2013
To Charlotte and Fred,
I am so sorry for your loss, Mary was a friend to me and my mom and she helped me so much with my mother's passing.She will always be in my heart and thoughts.
Bob and Colette Wortman
10/02/2013
To Charlotte and all of Mary's family--
So sorry to read about Mary this morning. She was a very special teacher, friend and person. We were so lucky to have her teach both Bret and Missy. We will be out of town Saturday but you all will be in our thoughts.
Charlie Thyberg
10/01/2013
So sorry for your lose! I talked to Mary a few weeks ago she was trying to get ahold of my brother Steve one of Fred's best friends in the day.She was not all that happy at where she was but that can be understandable in how she was a doer all her life and never wanted to be a taken care of SHE took care of others.I had the privlage to know her for years through my work at Dahl's 50 some years to be exact. Loved her and God will be waiting for that great gal. Will miss you Mary know you are in the right place now!!!!!
Roger D Burt
10/01/2013
MARY - - You are a BEAUTIFUL LADY and will be missed by countless people. Your Relatives and MANY MANY Friends, Neighbors and former Students Celebrate and Honor your life of Service to others.