Sally Whittaker

Sally Whittaker, 84, of Iowa City, died Tuesday morning surrounded by family at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. On Saturday, May 7th, a time of greeting will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Iowa City. A Memorial Mass will follow the greeting at 10:30 with Father Joseph Sia officiating. A luncheon will be held immediately following the service in the Fellowship Hall of St. Patrick’s Church. The family has requested a private burial at St. Joseph Cemetery in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers, Sally and her family have requested that memorials be made in her name to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Sally Jane (Brumback) Whittaker was born to Scott and Marie (Sigmund) Brumback on April 21st, 1938 in Keokuk, IA. She was raised in Keokuk and graduated from St. Peter High School. Upon graduation, Sally attended a Licensed Practical Nurse program at Mercy Hospital in Marshalltown, IA. In 1958, Sally began a life-long legacy of helping people through her employment as an operating room nurse, first at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics followed by Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. Her career at Mercy Hospital spanned 37 years. She retired from Mercy Hospital in 2001. On February 27th, 1960, Sally married Ronald Whittaker in Keokuk, IA. Sally and Ron have spent 62 years together. Ron states, “It wasn’t always bliss, but we sure did like each other. I got to love her even more as time went on.” They had their first child, Scott, in 1963 followed by Mark in 1964 and Bret in 1966. Upon retirement, Sally spent countless hours with her five grandchildren cultivating many happy memories baking cookies, providing encouragement at sporting events and making sure they knew how much they were loved by her. In her spare time, Sally was an avid reader. Many times, she was reading very late into the evening. Sally’s other interests included, playing solitaire on the computer and sewing. Sally was preceded in death by her parents Scott and Marie; brothers John and Jim and sister Mary Lou. She is survived by her husband Ron of Iowa City; sister-in-law Diane Brumback of Little Rock, AR; her sons Scott and his wife, Stacie, of Boone, IA; Mark and his wife Carrie and her youngest son Bret, all of Iowa City, IA. Sally had five beloved grandchildren: Riley, Nicholas, Abigail, Grace and Anna.