Bette Jo Kirstein

Bette Jo Kirstein

Carlisle

Bette (Shimp) Kirstein, 86, passed away on Thursday, September 1, 2011, at Carlisle Care Center, due to her failing health from Alzheimer's disease. Visitation will precede the funeral on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. Funeral services will be held immediately after at 1 p.m., at Merle Hay Funeral Home, 4400 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines. Burial will follow the service at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Bette was born January 27, 1925, in Chariton, Iowa. She worked at Younkers Department Store in her early life and then became a full time mother and homemaker. During her life Bette lived in Chariton, California for a brief time, then back to Des Moines and Norwalk. For the last three years, she lived at the Carlisle Care Center in Carlisle, Iowa due to her Alzheimer's. Her family and friends will miss her greatly.

Bette leaves behind her sons, Kerry R. (Linda) Kirstein of Des Moines and Larry R. (Debbie) Kirstein of Omaha, NB; grandchildren, Steve (Laura) Kirstein of Pleasant Hill, IA, Angela Breese of Ankeny, IA, Katie (Doug) Omundson of Cleveland, OH and Michael Kirstein of Omaha, NB; great-grandchildren, Dade Breese, Preston and Koby Kirstein and all of her friends at Carlisle Care Center who will miss her smiles and laughter.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John H. "Jack" Kirstein and her parents, Clyde (stepfather) and Fae Hanson.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Assoication; P.O. Box 96011 Washington, D.C. 20090-6011.