Mary N. Barnum

September 26, 1943 — February 18, 2024

Mary Barnum

Service Details

Mary Noel (Swisher) Barnum, 80, passed away on February 18, 2024. Visitation will be held Sunday, February 25, 2024 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA from 5 to 7 p.m. with a Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a prayer service at 4:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, February 26 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1600 Grand in West Des Moines, Iowa at 10:30 a.m. with family greeting friends prior. Mary will be laid to rest with her husband, Al, at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery in Des Moines at a later date.

Mary was born in Des Moines, Iowa, September 26, 1943 to Theresa Ann McPhillips and Noel James Swisher. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Webster City, Iowa Class of 1961. She married Alan Ballantine in 1962, they later divorced. Daughter Lisa was born in 1968, son John in 1970 and daughter Amy in 1973.

On May 1, 1982, Mary was united in marriage to Allan P. Barnum. He preceded her in death on December 19, 2013.

Mary worked mainly in secretarial positions over the years. She was employed the last 10 years of her career as the Executive Secretary to Bishop Joseph Charron of the Diocese of the Des Moines, her favorite job of all.

She was a longtime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Greater Des Moines Newcomers Compass Club.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Lisa (Jerry) Budde and grandchildren, Angela and Carson; her daughter, Amy (Shane) Smock and grandson, Shane II; her granddaughter (John’s daughter), Faith (Justin) Nesbit; step-daughter, Kathy Barnum (Kelm Brueschke) and granddaughters, Amberle (Travis Wedig), Aubrey (Zane Suiter) and Kyra Brueschke; step-son, Gary Barnum (Sandy Fulton) and granddaughter, Madison Barnum; step-daughter, Kelly Lackman and granddaughters, Ella and Eva; great-grandchildren, Trinity, Ariana, Addison, Savannah, Bennett, Christopher, Ginavie, and Caroline; nieces, Susie (Tom) Goetz and Jeannie (Jeff) Zyzda; her 2 favorite cousins, Ruth Lowry and Jo Nelson; and many friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, her son John preceded her in death in 2019.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

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