Jeannie Crittenden

Donna Jean Crittenden, 85, of Osceola, daughter of William Henderson Simmerman and Mary Bernadine (Stickle) Simmerman was born November 16, 1935 in Clarke County, Iowa and passed from this life Saturday, January 9, 2021, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

Jeannie attended country school thru 3rd grade, Truro Schools thru 8th grade and graduated from Murray High School in 1954. Jeannie was united in marriage to Merrill Duane Crittenden on February 22, 1955 at Osceola, Iowa and 3 children blessed this union. They moved to Bremerton, Washington until 1957 when they moved to Aiea, Oahu, Hawaii, they moved to Osceola after a few years in Hawaii. In 2017, Jeannie moved to Ankeny.

Jeannie was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, she loved family gatherings. Jeannie enjoyed crafts of all kinds, knitting, crocheting, ceramics, and quilting. She enjoyed reading, playing bridge and wintering in Arizona. Jeannie was a member of the Red Hats and many Bridge Clubs.

Those relatives who preceded Jeannie in death were her husband, Merrill Duane Crittenden, parents, William and Bernadine Simmerman, son, Steven Duane Crittenden, brothers, Donovan and Merrill Simmerman, brother-in-law, Frank Adams, sister-in-law, Marilyn Adams, father and mother-in-law, Ralph and Mildred Crittenden.

Jeannie leaves to cherish her memory; son, Michael (Sue) Crittenden of Fulton, IL, daughter, Sharon (Brian) Carson of Des Moines, IA, grandson, Jeremy (Jennifer) Crittenden of Walford, IA, grandson, Ryan (Sarah) Crittenden of O’Fallen, MO, Grandson, Andrew Carson of Panora, IA, granddaughter, Jill (Andrew) Engbers of Sully, IA, great grandchildren, Logan (Brianna) Crittenden, Ethan Crittenden, Sydney Crittenden, Ella Crittenden, Mari Crittenden, Alex Davis, Capri Engbers, sister, Marilyn (Bob) Fluckey of Murray, IA, sister-in-law, Carolyn (Duane) Skarda of Afton, IA, sister-in-law, Marjorie Simmerman of Indianola, sister-in-law, Linda (Bill) Moore of Norwalk, IA, as well as other relatives and many friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Bernard Catholic Church, Friday January 15, 2021 at 9:30 am with Fr. Chris Reising officiating.

Rosary will be 4:30 Thursday prior to family greeting friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Thursday, January 14, 2021 at Kale Funeral Home.

The family and funeral home asks that anyone in attendance at the visitation or funeral service please follow social distancing guidelines. The use of face coverings at either event are REQUIRED. If you are unable to attend the service in person, a live stream will be available at www.kalefuneralhome.com on Jeannie’s tribute wall beginning at 9:30 am, Friday.

Interment will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Osceola Senior Center or St. Bernard Catholic Church.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.kalefuneralhome.com.