Martina Waltrude (Wallie) True

West Des Moines

Wallie passed away at Prairie Vista Village in Altoona, IA on February 14, 2018 to join her loved ones that preceded her for everlasting eternity. Wallie was born on November 2, 1923 in Colo, Iowa to Walter and Frances O’Donnell. She came to Des Moines after graduation from Colo High School in 1941 to attend Des Moines Business College, upon graduation from college she worked first at an insurance company then at the Veterans Administration. There she met her future husband Elmer P. True. They married on March 6, 1948 and made their home on 12th Street in West Des Moines where they raised their four children.

Wallie was a homemaker until her youngest was in high school then she enjoyed going to work as Administrative Assistant for a dear friend (Patty Olson) who was the Director of Crestview Acres Retirement Home in West Des Moines. After Elmer’s retirement from the City of West Des Moines in 1981 they enjoyed traveling with friends and relatives. Wallie enjoyed playing cards and after moving to a retirement home in WDM her family had a hard time keeping track of her whereabouts as she was always enjoying card games with friends, her church activities and just enjoying life in her later years.

She moved to Prairie Vista Village in Altoona, Iowa in 2014 after living in WDM for 65 years. Wallie met many new friends there and for four years was a very social, active person. She even joined the bean bag toss team known as the Prairie Dogs. They did quite well in the Retirement Home circuit – even winning a trophy for Prairie Vista! The last 4 months were more difficult and challenging for her, but she would remind people that she was 94 years old. Wallie had a great 94 years, always giving and supporting her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Elmer P. True, brothers Jim and Cliff O’Donnell, sister Mary Jane Austerman and son-in-law Dan Arthurs. Wallie lived for her family and was always interested in what they were doing. She is survived by her four children: Doug (June), Coralville, IA; Liz (George) VanDam, Detroit Lakes, MN; Bev Arthurs, Pleasant Hill; IA: Kathy (Dale) Mobley, Cedar Rapids, IA. Her Grandchildren: Andy (Nicole) VanDam; Grant (Alissa) VanDam; Andrea (Aaron) Muelhaupt; Dan (Heather) Arthurs; Alec Mobley and Jenny Mobley. Her Great-Grandchildren: Vincent and Jack VanDam; Hilde VanDam; John True and Eleanor Muelhaupt; and Kingston, Lola and Frances Arthurs. She is also survived by many wonderful nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the members of St. John and Paul Church in Altoona for visiting Prairie Vista and making her feel a part of the Catholic community there. Also thank you to the very caring staff at Prairie Vista Skilled Care Center. They were so kind to mom in her final months. Lastly, a special thank you to a dearly loved family friend whose help and support we could not have done without – thank you Tom Bruhn.

Services to be held Saturday, February 24, 2018 at McLaren’s Funeral Home in West Des Moines. Visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m., service at 11:00 a.m. with burial and luncheon immediately following. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Hospice of Central Iowa or Sacred Heart Church in WDM in her memory.