Shirley (Ritchhart) Crosswhite

Shirley Crosswhite, 88, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2017. A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, Des Moines, on Saturday, April 29, 2017. Her family will receive visitors at 11:00 a.m. A memorial service will follow at 12:00 p.m. Family and friends are encouraged to remain after the service for a luncheon reception.

Shirley was born in Ankeny, Iowa, on October 16, 1928, and moved to Orient, Iowa, with her family as a young child. She grew up with her mother and father, Fae and Carl, as well as her three brothers (Leo, Bob, and Jerry, all deceased) and her two sisters (Virginia, deceased, and Mary).

After graduating from Orient High School in 1946, Shirley moved to Des Moines and began work as a payroll clerk at Peanut Products. Through friends, she was introduced to her future husband of 68 years – Marshall Crosswhite. They were married on November 28, 1947, and raised two sons, Frank and Joe, in the Drake Neighborhood in Des Moines.

Shirley worked for over 25 years at the Iowa Des Moines National Bank. Her friendships at work and at home endured through the years. She embodied the notion of a ‘good neighbor’ and co-worker – always willing to give of her time to others. She volunteered selflessly – whether for the local school, church, scouting, little league baseball, or going door to door for causes such as Easter Seals or the March of Dimes.

Shirley’s baking skills were legendary. Neighbors looked forward to her regular deliveries of pumpkin bread and Christmas fruitcake. She loved to play cards and games, and her baked goods always sweetened the hands dealt at her pinochle table.

In addition to her sons and her sister, Mary, Shirley is survived by her daughters’ in law, Teri and Kris, four grandchildren (Luke, Faye, Amelia and Annelise), five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. A fifth grandchild, Matthew, predeceased her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Iowa Lutheran Hospital, c/o UnityPoint Health Foundation, 1415 Woodland Avenue, Suite E-200, Des Moines, Iowa 50309.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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