Alberta Birchard

Alberta Jane Birchard, 94, of Marshalltown passed away on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at Central Iowa Healthcare in Marshalltown. Funeral services for Alberta will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time. Memorials may be directed to the family. For more information or to send a condolence; please visit: www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Alberta and her family. Alberta Buffington Birchard was born on October 30, 1920 in Albion, Iowa to Vernie and Leona Waldo Buffington. Alberta graduated from Albion High School with the class of 1940. On November 28, 1940, Alberta was united in marriage to Winfield Pete Birchard at the Justice of the Peace in Marshalltown. They made their home in Marietta and Montour before calling Marshalltown home. Alberta was an excellent farm wife as well as working at Singer Sewing Center and in the Executive Dining Room at Fishers. She was even known as the Ice Cream Lady at Miller School. Alberta enjoyed sewing, cooking and canning food, her flower gardens and camping. Pete and Alberta loved to travel and had been to every state except Rhode Island. Some of the more memorable trips included Washington, California and Branson, Missouri. They also went on a Caribbean cruise on their 50th anniversary and most recently made a trip with the family to Hawaii in 2011. Alberta is survived by her daughters: Judy Henson of Marshalltown, Marland Birchard of Puyallup, Washington and Barbara (Larry) McGrew of Marshalltown. Grandchildren: Jennifer McGrew of Marshalltown, Kevin McGrew of Marshalltown, Kary Moore of Dysart and a great grandson Carter Moore of Dysart. Alberta is also survived by her sister LaVonne Baker of Marshalltown, sister in laws Lucille Buffington of Laurel and Annalee Buffington of Marshalltown and several nieces and nephews. Alberta is preceded in death by her husband Pete; parents Vernie and Leona and siblings Buff, Bud, Donnie, Dick and Helen Buffington.