My beloved wife, Karen Marie Pirtle, passed away peacefully on July 16th, 2021 in Mesa, AZ. She was also a beloved mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, and everyone who knew her will miss her presence every day.
Karen was born on May 4th, 1943 in Tucson, AZ to her parents Jesse Abel, and Betty Jane White (Kelly).
When I was separated from the Navy, I came to live with my parents in San Manuel, AZ. Luckily, Karen's aunt and uncle lived just down the street from our house. One day while my dad and her Uncle Jep were at work together, they decided to set the two of us up on a blind date. I never thought much of it, until one day I decided to stop by for a visit. When I opened the door and stepped into Karen's aunt's house, I found Karen there cleaning the house with her hair in rollers. Some time later, Karen told me that when she saw me for the first time that day, she already loved me.
I drove her home that day, which meant I found out where she lived. From then on I would come to see her every day. But, finally her mother told Karen, "He can't come here unless you keep up with your grades in school". She of course got straight As. She's always been very smart. On June 17th, 1961, we got married in San Manuel, AZ.
While a housewife in Mesa, AZ, she attended Mesa Community College, where she earned a Professional Registered Nurse License. She went on to work at OBGYN Good Samaritan Hospital for 24 years. Also, she was a strong member of the Church of Christ in Chandler, AZ.
She is survived by her husband Henry Dale Pirtle of Mesa, two sisters, Barbara Roberts of Prescott and Cheryl Nevitt or Mammoth, her two sons Robert Dale Pirtle of Mesa and Thomas James Pirtle of Boise, Idaho, her daughter Jo-Ann Spurlock of Gilbert, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her mother, Betty Jane White, who still lives in Tucson at the age of 98.
She is preceded in death by her father, Jesse Abel White, who passed away in Oracle, AZ.
What I loved and admired about her is that she was always thinking of others. Every time I left the house, she would remind me not to forget anything, since she knew I always forget my keys or something. Karen always had a beautiful smile. She even had a beautiful smile when she was in Hospice. She was beautiful and I will never forget.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a place of your choice, in order to help someone in need.
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