Ethel Mae West

Funeral services for Ethel West, age 97, of Clarinda, IA, who entered into peace Monday, January 10, 2011 at Westridge Care and Rehab Center, Clarinda, Iowa were held Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, rural Clarinda, Iowa with Pastor Nathan Dudley officiating. Burial was in the Summit Cemetery, rural Yorktown, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to the Westridge Care and Rehab Center Activity Fund or to St. Paul Lutheran Church. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on our website at, www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Clarinda, Iowa.

Ethel Mae Bryant West was born February 17, 1913 to Albert and Mary (Browning) Bryant in Decatur County, IA. She attended and graduated from high school in Beaconsfield, Iowa in 1932. She was married to Charles (Chuck) West, August 1, 1932; they were blessed with one child, Patsy Lee.

Ethel worked for the Mental Health Institute in the Laundry Room and later as an assistant Matron.

Chuck and Ethel enjoyed camping and fishing and after retirement traveled extensively. Ethel's hands were always busy with knitting or crocheting or crafts which she generously shared with family and friends. Her family was her greatest joy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, Chuck; her brothers, Ralph and Howard Bryant and a sister, Alice Coy.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter and son in law, Patsy and Roger Linke of Clarinda, IA; grandchildren, Lee Ann and Frank Caracciolo of Omaha, NE, Dave
and Karen Linke and Jon and Kathy Linke of Clarinda, IA and great grandchildren, Aaron and Shaylen Linke, Caleb Linke, Anna Linke, Ryan Linke and Renae Linke all of Clarinda, Iowa; many nephews and nieces and a host of friends.

Ethel will be greatly missed but her love
and inspiration will live on through her family.
May God grant comfort and peace to those who mourn her passing.