Mary Mitchum

Mary was born on May 9th in the year 1943 to George and Geneva Butcher in the bustling town of Rolla, Missouri. She was the oldest sibling and tried as hard as she could to keep her sister Fran Carnagey (Johnston, IA) and her little brother Lee Roy Butcher (deceased from Mobile, AL) out of trouble. Mary’s father George was in the heating and cooling business and traveled to where the work was. After traveling for years around the country like carnival kids in the family camper, Mary and family finally found their home in Springfield, MO. Eventually they moved out to a little acreage in Brookline, MO. At Republic High where Mary graduated, she took up studies with typing, shorthand, and business. Mary had lots of friends from her school days, but one in particular, Dixie Niblock (Blue Springs, MO), continued to be Mary’s close friend right until the end. Shortly after high school, Mary got married to Ronald Bruce Mitchum (deceased). After they divorced Mary took their 3 kids, Michelle Applegate (Johnston, IA), Jeff Mitchum (Shakopee, MN) and Tim Mitchum (Clive, IA) and set out on her own as a single mother to create an amazing life and opportunity for her kids. She worked extremely hard, sometimes holding down 3 jobs at a time. Once even getting in trouble for letting the kids help stock the Casey’s pop cooler just so she could spend a little more time with them. It was during this time she would meet lifelong friend Bonnie Carter (Auburn, CA). Mary sacrificed everything to make her family work. Never did her kids go without something they needed and they always had an overflowing river of love that she provided even on her most tired days. After making her final roots in the Johnston area, she worked her way into being the first female controller of The Ross Daniels Company in West Des Moines, IA. Later she started her own payroll and accounting company to help small businesses and entrepreneurs as they started out. Simonson and Associates, and Mike Simonson, was one of her favorite business owners she worked with in those days. She ended up working with many business owners and eventually getting her degree in accounting from Upper Iowa University. She was very proud of this, as she should be. Mary retired in May of 2014 and she spent most of her time reading, sharing life with a special friend, playing bridge with neighbors, traveling with her sister and nephew Wade, loving on her dog Snoopy, and spending time with her grandkids, Hezekiah Applegate, Tennessee Applegate, Willow Applegate, Cera Mitchum, and Hayes Mitchum. Her three children all married. Michelle married Doug Applegate, Jeff Married Katie Segna, and Tim married Megan Hill. Mary was very proud of her children and loved their spouses tremendously. Mary loved to simply spend time with her kids and grandkids the most. She was never the center of attention because she just loved being around family and listening to others. She was the best listener. Listening and offering help in any way she could was what brought Mary the most joy. Those who knew Mary knew this. She would make a friend out of any stranger and give them the shirt off her back if they asked. Every night under a dim reading lamp you could find Mary reading her bible. One of her favorite verses was Philippians 4:13 “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” Mary leaned on this verse and Jesus her whole life. Mary was an amazing mother, giddy grandma, compassionate friend, loving sister, and a woman of faith who is now happily dancing with Jesus. There will be a Celebration of Life Gathering Sunday, August 20th, 2017 from 1:00pm - 3:00pm at Meredith Drive Reformed Church, 5128 Meredith Dr, Des Moines, IA 50310 Memorial contributions may be made to Mary's family.

Mary Mitchum

May 9, 1943 - July 28, 2017