In Loving Memory
Prudence D. Bartocci

VISITATION
Thursday, April 28, 2022
5:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Emmetsburg, Iowa

SERVICE
Friday, April 29, 2022
10:30 A.M.
New Hope Community Chapel
Emmetsburg, Iowa

CLERGY
Rev. David Van Heuvelen

INTERMENT
Evergreen Cemetery
Emmetsburg, Iowa

Prudence Doreen Bartocci was born on May 16, 1938 in Hull, England to James and Ethel White.  As a young girl she always wanted to be a secretary.  In June of 1949, at the age of 11, she was admitted to a secretarial school where in addition to the "3 R's", history, geography and the arts, she learned shorthand, typing, accounting and office skills.  In August of 1955, at the age of 17, she began working at the University of Hull in the office of the Institute of Education.  She remained there until February of 1965 when she moved to Geneva, Switzerland and began working as a secretary with the World Health Organization.  It was in Geneva, Switzerland that Prudence met and married her Italian sweet heart, Luigi Bartocci.  To this union was born their only daughter, Laura.  Prudence retired from the World Health Organization in December of 1995.  Laura had gone to the United States for studies and in January of 1996 Prudence and Luigi retired to their beautiful home that they had built in Italy.  As Grandchildren began to be born across the pond, Prudence and Luigi spent much of their time travelling back and forth for Holidays and Birthdays.  In 1999, they made a part time home in St. Peter, MN, and in November of 2006 they made their permanent home in Emmetsburg, Iowa.

Prudence Bartocci was a women of faith, inspired by her own mother whom she described as "a totally unselfish person, loving and kind who loved the LORD".  Prudence in her twenties was greatly affected by the sudden death of her mom at age 63. Prudence found strength and comfort in that time, knowing that her mom was "safe in the arms of Jesus". Nevertheless Prudence started slowly drifting away from her relationship with the LORD as in her own words she states that when her mom died "a light had gone out". Prudence found her way back to the LORD in 1985 and has been a devoted Christian ever since. She would love to send cards to friends and family always inserting a message of hope from the Word of God. She prayed fervently for her family whom she loved dearly. Even though cancer was a part of her life for over 20 years she experienced God's faithfulness through the challenges of the "sickness". Often anxiety and fear would taunt her, but her love for the LORD was her strength.

Her Journey with cancer started in 1998. After 3 years of brittle bones, unexplained fractures, several surgeries, a lot of pain, needing crutches to walk and becoming very discouraged a doctor in Mankato, MN, finally found the cause of Prudence's conditions. The culprit was a tumor that secrete a substance which prevent kidneys from retaining phosphorus and hence causing bones to brake. The removal of this first tumor in 2001 was not the end. Another tumor was found in 2007 and by Spring of 2012 Prudence was found to have cancerous lesions in her right arm, right thigh, both lungs and her liver. She was diagnosed with a rare type of High Grade metastatic pleomorphic soft tissue sarcoma. Prudence went through radiation treatments to her arm and thigh as well as received chemotherapy. She also underwent surgery to her right arm to replace the bone with a rod, later fell at home rendering a second surgery to her arm. In time cancer slowly progressed requiring parathyroid surgery and later a bronchoscopy to remove invading tumors into her airways. In October of 2020, Prudence underwent her last chemo treatment. The chemo caused Prudence to be very fatigued, weak and febrile. In November of 2020 she was also diagnosed with a new tumor in her heart. A series of new symptoms caused Prudence to visit the Emergency Room several times. Doctors could no longer help her. Prudence received Hospice Care and remained at home with the assistance of family and hired staff. As her condition digressed, Prudence required constant care at home. A month later, on March 6 ^th , 2022, Prudence moved to PARC HALL Nursing Home in Emmetsburg, Iowa, where she died peacefully on April 25, 2022. Her daughter, Laura, and Son-in-Law, Dave were by her side.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ethel and James White, Sister Eileen Holmes, Brother Jack White, Brother-in-law Paul Lazenby, Nephew Mark Lazenby, Husband Luigi Bartocci and a grandchild whom she'd never met on this earth.  Left to cherish her life and memory are her daughter, Laura and David VanHeuvelen of Emmetsburg, Iowa, Grandson, Senior Airman Christopher VanHeuvelen of Spokane, Washington, Granddaughter Hannah and Sergeant Clayton McGuire and Great Grandson, Xavier of Primghar, Iowa, Grandson Taylor VanHeuvelen, Grandson Joshua VanHeuvelen and Granddaughter Audrianna Elizabeth Joy VanHeuvelen.  She was affectionately known as "Granny 5 Times".

Her friends and people who knew her describe her as a person of great faith, a warm and charming person with the most radiant smile. They say of her that she was friendly and many enjoyed visiting with her. They say that her family was her pride and joy and most definitely this is true. She was sassy, fiery, particular and enduring. She was not ashamed of her Jesus.

Cancer seemed to have encroached in her life, but despite the struggles many victories where witnessed. Many doctors were intrigued by this lady who against all odds remained more than victorious through the challenges of life. She is leaving a legacy of faith in Jesus Christ despite the hardships of the past 20 years. She gave of herself to those she knew, she was generous, had a brilliant mind, was courageous, loved her family, and more importantly LOVED the LORD.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home