Aldridge, Elizabeth Ann 1929-2012

ALDRIDGE, THOMSEN, YOCKEY

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 6/18/2016 at 13:36:06

Elizabeth Ann Aldridge
Des Moines

Elizabeth Ann Thomsen Aldridge, 83, died on November 27, 2012, at Wesley Acres hospice, after a long illness.

Liz was born on April 23, 1929 in Red Oak, IA to Edward and Rebecca Thomsen. She was valedictorian of her high school class and attended both Smith College and the University of Iowa.

She married James C. Aldridge on February 28, 1951. They moved to Des Moines in 1963.

Elizabeth belonged to Plymouth United Church of Christ for almost 50 years. She worked helping families through the Roadside Settlement House and the Plymouth Refugee Committee. She was State Treasurer of the League of Women Voters of Iowa, a member of Brevity Club, Pi Beta Phi, the Des Moines Symphony, the Des Moines Metro Opera, the Iowa President's Club and a big fan of Hawkeye sports.

Liz never met a stranger. She grew up amid a loving, extended German family and kept many of her Red Oak and college friends for life. She had a large group of friends in Des Moines from a lifetime of volunteer activities, and many more throughout the U.S. who were former neighbors, cousins, travel acquaintances, Florida snowbirds, Pi Phi, etc. Her husband, children and grandsons love her deeply.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, her three children: David (Norma) Aldridge, Rebecca (Wayne) Yockey and Barry, and by her grandchildren: Aaron and Seth Yockey and J. Alex and Bennett Aldridge.

For the last 4 months of her life, it was difficult for Liz to communicate, but you could tell that she was still "in there", still enjoying your company and wishing she could play just one more hand of bridge. For her family and her friends, she will always be "in there."

A funeral service will be held in the sanctuary at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ on Saturday, December 1 at 2:30 pm, with a reception to follow. Internment in the Plymouth Memorial Garden will be at a private, family ceremony.

In Lieu of flowers Memorial donations may be sent to Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ.
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/desmoinesregister/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=161298860#sthash.ahe8WQkG.dpuf ~ The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa Fri 30 Nov 2012.