Wendy Ann White

Wendy was born to Wendell and Florence Hayden in Des Moines, IA on June 11th, 1961. Shortly after, Wendell and Florence relocated their family to Fortaleza in Brazil to serve in the missionary field. As a child, Wendy professed her faith in Christ and began a lifelong relationship with her Savior. This faith would serve as her source of strength and courage through life’s challenges.

When Wendy was 18 years old, she chose to pursue her education in the United States. She completed her Bachelor’s in Nursing at Graceland and shortly after began her life’s calling as a labor and delivery nurse. Wendy participated in the delivery of many babies in the span of her 35 years. During that time, she served as both a bedside and charge nurse. She later achieved her Masters at the University of Mary.

Wendy’s family served as her greatest source of pride and joy. She treasured moments spent with her grandchildren, particularly cheering at their sporting and school events. She rarely turned down an opportunity to attend an event so long as it was with one of her loved ones. She enjoyed travel and searching for unique treasures while thrifting with her partner Michael Beard. She particularly loved time spent near the ocean, where she was always looking for the chance to spot a whale.

Wendy was a passionate advocate for two things: her faith in Christ and her love for her animals. Wendy was a lover of all wildlife and instilled her love for conservation of the natural world in her children. She also was a believer that candy could sweeten the worst day. She always had a steady supply of sweets to ensure everyone she met could have a little sweeter day.

Wendy is preceded in death by her parents Wendell and Florence Hayden and her brothers John Mark and Stephen Hayden. She is survived by her daughter Shaina (White) Brisbane and husband Sean, her son Patric White and wife Mykaela, her grandchildren Macy White, Ellie White, and Eion White, her brother Christopher Hayden and her partner Michael Beard.