Mary Christian

Mary A. Christian, 83, died peacefully on Tuesday, April 24, 2007, surrounded by her family and friends at Kavanagh House on 56th Street in Des Moines.
Visitation will be Friday, April 27, at Hamilton's Southtown Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Hamilton's Southtown Funeral Home at 1 p.m. Saturday with burial at Brethren Cemetery in Dallas Center, IA. A celebration of her life will be held at Waukee Christian Church after graveside services are concluded.
Mary was born April 11, 1924, in Waukee, Iowa to Louis and Josephena Bartoletti. She grew up in the coal mining colony of the Shuler Mine, working part time and helping raise her sisters after her mother died unexpectedly while Mary was still young. Mary met the love of her life, Roy Christian in 1947 and they vowed "til death do they part" in 1950. He was (as always) by her side as she continued on her eternal journey without him. They would have celebrated their 57th anniversary on May 6, 2007.
Immediately surviving Mary are her daughter, Deb Tesson (Dean Hawxby), of Des Moines. Her son, Fred Christian (Robin) also of Des Moines. Granddaughters, Jacqueline TessonLeJeune (Travis), Des Moines, Kimberly Alton (Josh) of Chicago, Illinois and Megan Phillips of Des Moines, mother of Sydney Phillips, Mary's great- granddaughter.
Mary is lovingly remembered by her close family, her sister Katherine "Bena" Speer of Waukee and her children Lorrie (David) Grandgenett of Grimes, Robert "Mike" (Kathy) Speer of Des Moines, Josephine "Jodi" Joiner of Des Moines and Patricia Reeck of Grimes as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a multitude of friends. She will be especially missed by her "Sister of the Heart", Kathy Moad and husband Bob of Chariton, Iowa. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Louisa and two infant sisters.
Mary lived a full life as a homemaker and babysitter while her children were growing up, and later as a receptionist for Whitfield law firm where she worked until retiring in 1998. After retirement, she spent her days with her loving husband, family and friends. She loved to travel, cooking and "puttering around the house" and she took great pride in her extensive "Precious Moments" figurine collection. She was a fifty year member of the Eastern Star and was a longtime member of the "Precious Moments" collectors club.
One of Mary's greatest joys was the annual family fishing trip to Caribou Falls Lodge in Ontario, Canada. She was an excellent fisherman and lived for the daily shore lunches, breathtaking sunsets and nightly card games. She loved having her family around her.
Although Mary supported many various charities, the family graciously requests that memorial contributions be made to Kavanagh House on 56th Street that has recently been a new home for Mary as well as her family. Many thanks to the unbelievable staff whose caring and support have been a godsend to us all at this most difficult time. You truly are angels that walk among us.

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