Caryl Bridgford
March 12, 2015
Caryl Joanne Bridgford, 84, passed away at Mercy Hospice in Johnston Thursday, March 12, 2015. Caryl was born May 27, 1930 in Burlington, Iowa to Raymond and Hanna Pletke.
Family was the most important thing to Caryl. She would say, “I enjoy family…..even the ornery ones!” She never said no to babysitting grandkids and great-grandkids that lived nearby; and she was unhappy when she could no longer do it. Holidays were a particularly favorite time because “family” would be getting together. Her ties to family were so strong, that after the death of her father, she took care of her mother; first in her home and then in a care facility by visiting sometimes more than once a day.
Caryl recently attended Prairie Ridge Church in Ankeny. Before moving to Ankeny, for several years, she attended Wakonda Christian Church in south Des Moines. In the 1960’s she belonged to a “sewing club” of neighborhood women who got together monthly and stayed life-long friends. She and her daughters looked forward to “girl trips” each year -- usually to the Ozarks, and St. Louis. She loved to browse antique stores. Caryl was loyal to the Iowa Cubs by attending games as long as she could, and followed the Chicago Cubs on TV. She was also an avid Iowa State fan and looked forward to the Cyclone games.
Caryl is survived by her children, Deb Fuller, Paul (Susan) Bridgford, Anna (Brian) Lampe, Lora (Zane) Yates; many grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren; siblings, Lee (Norma) Pletke and Roger Pletke; and a host of extended family and friends. She will be deeply missed by her family and those who knew her well.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
A Visitation of Remembrance will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 pm on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family, who will award a nursing scholarship in her name, or to Mercy Hospice of Johnston.
.Online condolences may be expressed at
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Gail Olson
05/29/2015
Paul and Susan: So sorry for your loss. Remember she continues to live on in your hearts.
Susanna Miles
05/17/2015
Paul and Susan,
I am sorry to read about the passing of your mother. She must have had a happy and full life.
I know she will live on in your hearts.
BILL GLANZ
05/17/2015
TO DEBBIE & SHERRY: I AM SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR MOTHER. MAY GOD BE WITH YOU AT THIS TIME! BILL GLANZ
Jean Davis
03/20/2015
Deb, I'm so sorry. Your mom was lovely and sweet, and had a great smile, and you're the exact image of her! I know you have lots of wonderful memories to comfort you. Love you.
pat & carolyn haws
03/18/2015
Caryl was a good nieghbor & we will miss her. We visited each other at times as being next door was very convienient for each of us. She was a good source of sugar or butter (etc) when I ran out of it in the middle of a recipe.You had a very good mother!
Rosemary Brady
03/16/2015
So very sorry for your loss. My Mother, Mary DeFino became friends with Caryl while she cared for her mother at Fleur Hts. They both were caring for loved ones. She has always sent cards to my Mother for special occasions. She was a sweet woman. My Mother is in Hospice care now but was sad to hear of your loss.