Terri Sue Pitcher

Terri Sue Pitcher, age 68, of West Des Moines, Iowa passed away unexpectedly at home on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 8, 2023, at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines, Iowa 50265. Visitation will be held from 4 -7 p.m. at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel, 801 19th St, West Des Moines, Iowa 50265 on Thursday, September 7, 2023. A private burial will be held at a later date.

Terri was born on July 7, 1955, at Scott A.F. Base in Illinois to Ronald D. and Carol A. Long.

She graduated from Norwalk High School in 1973 and Iowa State University in 1977, as one of the first women to graduate with a Computer Science degree from the university. Throughout her career, Terri was employed at EMC Insurance, Greyhound Lines, Allied Insurance, ITA Group Inc., Pioneer Insurance, and BTS before retiring.

Terri married Monte Ball in May 1975 in Des Moines, and they had two children, Katie and Michael.

In August 1990, Terri married Dan Pitcher in Urbandale at the Living History Farms Church.

Project Momager and Grandmager, Terri devoted herself wholeheartedly to family. Following retirement, she was blessed to share a home with her daughter and grandchildren, Sophia and Cooper; she truly cherished every minute she was able to spend with them.

Terri was brilliant, curious, and exceptionally creative. She designed beautiful craft items that made every home she lived in special. She also enjoyed monthly get-togethers with former coworkers and her lifelong friends, the “Norwalk girls”. To her friends, she was simply the best.

She was an active member of the Lutheran Church of Hope. She served as a mentor and participated in support groups offering her loving presence and compassion while receiving the same from others,

Terri valued giving back to her communities. She served on several State of Iowa and Iowa State advisory boards. She loved being a Valley High School Marching Band Mom. She served as a Mentor for a young woman transitioning from foster care, treasured being an IT mentor whenever asked, and was a staunch advocate for LGBTQ and mental health acceptance and rights.

Terri is survived by a daughter, Katie (Aaron) Ball, and a son, Michael Ball, both of West Des Moines. Two grandchildren, Sophia and Cooper Chencher. Her mother, Carol, her sister, Sheryl (Glenn) Dailey, and numerous extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her father, Ronald Long, and her grandparents.

She was a wonderful mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, and friend. She will be deeply missed.

Memorials in loving memory of Terri may be directed to Primary Healthcare Iowa.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mclarensresthavenchapel.com for the Pitcher family.