Mary Louise (Short) Kenyon
August 28, 2015
An angel came and took away the pain; put her arms around her and took her home…
After a courageous and hard fought battle with cancer, on August 28, 2015, Mary Louise (Short) Kenyon, peacefully passed away with her sons by her side.
Mary was born on April 24, 1933, to Willard and Nora (Hirsch) Short. Mary was her parent’s third child, she was raised with an older sister, Barbara Short (Johnson), an older brother, Don Short, and a younger brother, Jim Short.
Mary was raised on the south side of Des Moines, attending Park Avenue School and Lincoln High School. She later moved to 54th and Aurora and Cottage Grove to raise her family.
As a young woman, Mary worked for LOOK magazine and was a cook for various restaurants. She was also employed as a caregiver to elderly women. After her children were older Mary was the motel manager at the Blue Bird Motel for many years. But her most important job in life was raising her children. Mary enjoyed spending afternoons working in her flower garden, cooking and baking cakes for her family, and of course her nightly chocolate shake.
Mary was married first to Howard Whitten. She was later married to Don Kenyon on November 2, 1962.
Mary was the mother of 11 children, and all of her kids were proud to call her mom. Her children are Dennis Whitten, Melvin Whitten, Michael (Connie) Whitten, David (Michelle) Whitten, Betty Whitten, Carl (Debi) Smith, Kelly (Michele) Kline, Bill (Mechelle) Kenyon, Dan, Dale and Doug Kenyon. Mary was a loving and wonderful grandma to 29 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. In February, she was happy to welcome her first great great-grandson.
Those preceding Mary in death, were her parents, all of her siblings, both husbands, Howard and Don, her sons, Dennis and Melvin, daughter, Betty, and grandson, Jared Smith. Those left to cherish her memory are her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law, Judith Short and Ruby Short, good friends, Monty Lovell and Joel and Gina Mundt, many nieces and nephews and many friends.
Through her life, Mary enjoyed happy times with her family but she also dealt with struggles and pain. It was through these times that the family learned to face difficulties head-on with both grace and love. She never gave up on any of her children. She encouraged them to make the most of their lives and do what is right. Toward the end of her life’s journey her son, Dan, summed it up best. At her bedside he said, “Mom, you’ve had a long happy life and at times it’s been hard. Now it is time for you to go up there and get your big reward.” XOXO.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2015, at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, 1 NE 60th Ave., Des Moines, with visitation from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave. in Des Moines.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Mary.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Helen (Lamm) Lorenzen
09/02/2015
I have not seen Mary Louise for many years, and regret not being able to attend my cousin's services. I am sorry for your loss.
Ronelle (Howard) Israel
09/01/2015
To all of Mary's family. I am so sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers to the family. Mary will be missed very much by her family. Mary had a heart of gold and loved her family very much she may have been tough at times and spoke her mind but she did this out of love for her family.
Shawn and samatha sziber.
08/31/2015
To doug- dan and dale! Sorry for the loss of your mother! I did know her but not well! I will say from what i did know of her she was a heck of a woman! Strong willed! Raised a good family! God got another angel boys! May she rest in peace now!
kelly (son)
08/31/2015
My Mother had a heart of gold. She cared and loved all of us equally. Her Grandkids were her life. She will be missed and loved by all. She is pain free, care free and watching over all of us. Miss you Mom.
Laquita Love
08/31/2015
So sorry for your lost. My prayers are with you, David, Michelle and your family.
Brenda
08/30/2015
I loved grandma for so many things. She always spoke her mind no beating around the bush, protector, fabulous cook, and a heart of gold! I'm going to miss my visits with her. But I know she is free from pain. She is with those who had to go to soon who welcomed her and guided her. I am very thankful for all the time and love I had with her. I know she we will always be with me.