Gretchen Marie Cardamon

Des Moines

Gretchen Cardamon, 86, passed away Saturday, November 12, 2011 at Methodist Hospital from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday at McLaren’s Chapel with burial at Resthaven Cemetery.

Gretchen was born in Osceola, IA on August 18, 1925 to Ralph and Lena Jones. She married Charles J. (Ted) Cardamon on December 20, 1947 and they lived in the Des Moines area all their life. Together they had four children. Gretchen was a long time member, volunteer and deacon at Westminster Presbyterian Church and was a member of Des Moines Golf and Country Club. She loved caring for her family as well as travelling, golfing, playing bridge, reading, quilting and knitting. She offered comfort and joy through her gentle, steadfast and loving spirit.

She is survived by her son, Tim of Dillon, CO; daughter, Julie Cardamon of St. Louis, MO; four grandchildren, Melissa (Aaron) Zielke, Emily Cardamon, Jeff Kellerhals and Sarah Kellerhals; great-grandson, Austin Zielke; sister, Doris Key of Austin, TX; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted, son, Terry, and daughter, Susan Kellerhals.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time Friday at McLaren’s. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Westminster Presbyterian Church or the John Stoddard Cancer Center.