Mary Ruth White

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.

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