Mary Helen Bottke

Mary Helen (Lambert) Bottke was received into the arms of her heavenly family on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at Wesley Acres in Des Moines, IA with her children by her side. She was born March 22, 1925 to Helen (Windelow) Lambert and Dr. JD Lambert and raised in Hampton, IA. She met her husband Harold Bottke shortly after his return from serving in World War II. Harold and Mary Helen were married in June of 1947 and had two children, Mary Margaret (Mary) and William (Bill). After her children were in school she work for Hampton Wholesale, Laipple Oil Company, Bobst Real Estate and the Hampton Chamber of Commerce. She was a talented pianist almost to the very end, playing for church in Hampton, the residents at Walden Point Assisted Living and then Wesley Acres. Next to her children, playing the piano was her greatest accomplishment and gave her great joy and peace. Mary Helen made a wonderful home for her family. She was an excellent cook and her home was full of grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends with spur of the moment picnics at Beeds Lake and large family dinners during the holidays. In September 2007 Harold and Mary Helen moved to Des Moines to be closer to their daughter. Mary, as she was called in Des Moines, is lovingly remembered by her daughter Mary Douglas of Urbandale; son Bill of Ft Lauderdale, FL; granddaughter Allison Douglas and great grandchildren Jaelyn and Jordan of Lakewood, CO and a host of relatives and friends. Preceding Mary in death was her husband of 60 years, Harold in March of 2008, her mother, her father and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who all rejoiced when she joined them. A Memorial gathering will be held Saturday, May 27, 2017 from 10:00 to 12:00 PM, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home and Crematory in Urbandale, IA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family to be donated to the charity of their choice. Be kind. Be patient. Be grateful. Be thoughtful and helpful of others. Love your family and friends.