Patricia “Pat” Pankow

Monday, August 21, 2017 11:02 am

Patricia “Pat” Ann Pankow, 80, of Postville, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, at the Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Visitation was 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20, at Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Postville. There also is a one-hour visitation before Mass at the church Monday. Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 21, at St. Bridget Catholic Church, Postville, with Rev. Daniel Knipper as the celebrant. Burial follows at Pleasant View Cemetery, Castalia.

Pat was born Feb. 17, 1937, at home, in Waterloo, the only child of Clifford and Gladys (Doubek) Sphar. She attended school at DeSales Schools, Ossian and graduated from Northeast Area One in Calmar, with a practical nursing degree in July, 1969.

Pat married Norman Pankow Dec. 30, 1954. They lived in Calmar and Decorah before moving to Postville. Pat was employed at the Iowa Turkey Products in Postville as a quality control inspector, the Postville Community Hospital as an LPN until the hospital closed, then at the Good Samaritan Center in Postville until her retirement in 2004.

Pat was a strong, hardworking, compassionate, sentimental and generous person. Grandma “Pokey,” as her grandchildren affectionately called her, will be remembered for her abundant baking of Christmas goodies, cooking her holiday meals, her soft spot for all cats, and her enjoyment of countless family fishing outings to Lake Meyer. Pat was also particularly proud of the fact that she crocheted a baby afghan for each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren when they were born. After retirement she took pleasure in Freedom Bank bus trips, outings with the Red Hatters and senior citizens groups, attending Country Fest, Country on the River, and following the Back Home Boys with her dearest country music-loving friends. Above all, she cherished spending time with family and friends. Her motto was: “as long as she was able, she was going”; and she never turned down an opportunity to do just that. She was a loving mom, grandma and great-grandma who will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Pat is survived by her children: Katherine (Blaine) Whalen, Harmony, Minn., Norman (Tammy) Pankow Jr., Waterloo and Kenneth (Brenda) Pankow, Norfolk, Neb.; grandchildren: Shannon (Emily) Onsager, Corey (Allison) Whalen, Joshua (Tina) Whalen, Lindsey (Kirsten) Whalen, Mandy Jo (Justin) Norstad, Jordana (Jamie) Whipkey, Jeremy Pankow, Angel (Sean) Snyder, Brandy (Tyler) Hepler, Amanda (Scott) Pankow, Christopher (Jamie) Pankow; and 22 great-grandchildren. Pat showed great pride in all of their accomplishments.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman, Nov. 28, 1994; and her parents.

Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Postville, helped the family with arrangements.