Barbara White

BARBARA J. WHITE West Des Moines Barbara J. White, 90, passed away Sept. 22, 2015, at Fountain West. Visitation will be Sunday, Sept. 27, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Hamilton's on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Pkwy., West Des Moines. The funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1105 Grand Ave., West Des Moines. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, Osceola.

Barbara was born Feb. 17, 1925, in Ottumwa, Iowa, to Nina (Jenkins) and Clifford Savage. At the age of 45, she returned to school and became a registered nurse at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, one of her lifelong dreams. She worked until age 81. Barbara lived her life well. She raised successful children, was a loving grandmother, and was always there for her family and friends.

She was active in her faith, a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church for many years. She laughed often and faced tragedy and hardship with grace and dignity. During her years as a nurse, she touched and helped so many through her patients and their families, and as a role model for young nurses.

Barbara entertained thousands over the course of her 50 Christmas coffees. She truly had a passion for helping others. Barbara was loving, giving, caring, resilient, generous, positive, fun-loving, kind, supportive and welcoming.

She will be greatly missed by her daughter, Vicki (Ed) Hertko; son, Chris (Kim) White; sisters, Connie (Yvonne) Hillman and Genny (Jim) Davis; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; son-in-law, David Huth; and multiple nieces, nephews, friends and honorary children.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles Edmund White; daughters, Shirle Huth, Deborah Ross and Rebecca White; and her sister, Dorothy Johnson.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Camp Hertko Hollow of Des Moines.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneral Home.com.