White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Alma M. Kimball, 88, of Independence, Iowa, died of natural causes Saturday, April 12, 2014, at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo. She was born January 5, 1926, in Doris, Iowa, the daughter of Fred Benjamin Maynard and Bertha Dell (Crandall) Maynard. She graduated from Independence High School in 1943. On August 18, 1946, she was united in marriage to Dr. Richard Lee Kimball at First United Methodist Church in Independence. They made their home and raised their family in Independence, where Alma assisted her husband in the dental office. He preceded her in death on September 1, 2008. Alma was an active member of First United Methodist Church, Independence Ladies Literary, the local hospital auxiliary and Past Matrons of Eastern Star. She strongly supported area schools and the Independence Public Library. She enjoyed playing bridge, reading and gardening, and in her younger years was an avid bowler. Her family was paramount, and she loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Kimball is survived by a son, Alan (Janine) Kimball of Independence; two daughters, Janice (David) Van Erem of Waterloo, and Nancy Kimball of Columbia Falls, Montana; five grandchildren, Dr. Eric (Amy) Kimball, Nikki (Jason) Kitner, Carrie (Nick) Arnold, Emily (Christopher) Dvorak and Abbey Van Erem; six great-grandchildren and twins expected in June; a sister, Elsie Erickson of Minneapolis; a sister-in-law, Maxine Maynard of Independence; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters, Lois Maynard, Lillianne Thiele, Alta Braden and Elva Sorg; and a brother, Glenn "Pete" Maynard.

Funeral services are at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at First United Methodist Church in Independence. Visitation is from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at White Funeral Home in Independence, with an Eastern Star service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation continues for an hour before services Wednesday at the church.

Memorials will be directed to local charities, including First United Methodist Church, Independence Public Library and the Buchanan County Health Trust.

White Funeral Home in Independence is in charge of arrangements.