Mary Frances Acheson

West Des Moines, Iowa

Mary Frances Acheson, 98, passed away on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at Silvercrest in Clive, Iowa. Mary Frances was born on January 24, 1917 to Warren and Borea Clark. She married Sam Acheson on November 20, 1937 and they enjoyed 76 wonderful years together.

Mary Frances was a devoted wife and dedicated mother, grandmother as well as a great-grandmother. She cherished every moment spent with family and enjoyed talking about all of her grandchildren or reminiscing about their most recent accomplishments. Mary was most happy when she was cooking up a big meal of sour dough pancakes for her family or helping someone in need. She loved to laugh, always had a big smile on her face, and was most grateful for even the smallest of kind gestures. Sam and Mary lived on an acreage on Army Post Road where they enjoyed wildlife, waterfowl and spent hours walking the perimeter of their land, just enjoying life. Mary Frances loved her God and joined the First Christian Church of West Des Moines when she was a little girl. At her passing, she was the oldest member of the Church as well as the member of longest standing.

Mary Frances will be sorely missed by her three sons; Kent (Karin), Keith (Kay) and Sam, Jr. She is survived by nine grandchildren, Stacey, Amy, Shannon, Travis, Shay, Brady, Sam III, Summer and Kelsey; as well as 15 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many, many friends.

As a child, Mary Frances was raised on her family's farm on Army Post Road where they raised hogs, milked cows and grew corn and soybeans. In the mid-1940s, she helped her husband, Sam start an auto body repair shop in Beaverdale IA and was the bookkeeper there. Later on, in the 1960s, Mary Frances helped other members of her family convert their farm into Willow Creek Golf Course. For many years she just loved being there on a daily basis where she could be with family and friends. Mary Frances and Sam enjoyed many trips together to various destinations in their airplane.

Mary Frances was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Sam and siblings; William Clark, Robert Clark and Betty Baumberger.

Funeral services will be held at West Des Moines Christian Church on Saturday, February 21st at 10:30 a.m. with burial at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the West Des Moines Christian Church.