A Memorial Service for Patricia Mae Gilmore, 81, of San Benito, Texas, and formerly of Minburn, Afton and Storm Lake will be held Saturday, Jan. 18 at 10:30 a.m. at Hastings Funeral Home in Perry. A luncheon to share memories of Patricia will follow at the funeral home.
Patricia died Dec. 13, 2019, in Harlingen, Texas. She lost her heroic fight against Alzheimer’s disease, but she battled with the grace and dignity that signified who she was and how she lived her life.
She was born to the late Donald and Geraldine (Smith) McCall Jan. 22, 1938, in Perry, Iowa.
Patricia graduated from Perry Community High School with the class of 1956.
She was a stay-at-home mother to her children, Chris and Lisa, until returning to work in the mid-1970s at Central Dallas Community Schools in Minburn as the high school secretary. She was well liked by students and staff alike during her years at C.D.
When her children left the nest, Patricia moved to rural Afton to be with her longtime partner, Robert Oglesbee. While living there, she had various jobs, from manager of the Afton Country Club to floral designer, child caregiver and bookkeeper at the Shopko in Creston.
In the mid-1980s, Pat and Bob purchased a mini-market in Storm Lake and ran it until their retirement.
At that time, they purchased a fifth-wheel RV and traveled the U.S. full time for many years. They eventually settled in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, living there for the past 15 years.
Patricia was a devoted mother first and foremost. She proved to be a wonderful role model, having always been a guiding hand in the lives of her grandchildren and then great-grandchildren. They were her pride and joy and she never missed an opportunity to brag about them.
She had a caring nature and always made people around her feel comfortable. She made friends wherever she journeyed.
Pat was a remarkable cook and enjoyed trying new recipes and preparing meals for her family and friends. She loved to play cards and go to dances.
Patricia was preceded in death by her parents; infant brother; and grandson, Aaron Gilmore.
Patricia’s legacy and memory will be cherished by her son, Christopher Gilmore of Des Moines; daughter Lisa (Bob) Kempf of Jamaica; treasured sisters, Mary (Gene) Huston of Spencer and Betty (Tom) Marlin of Ankeny; grandchildren, Christina (Curtis) Wilson of Guthrie Center, Sarah (Trey) Cummings of New Orleans, Louisiana, Jonathon (Erin) Kempf of Middleton, Idaho, and Rachel (Bobby) Strub of St. Louis, Illinois; great grandchildren, Lilah, Colt, Stella, Adaline, Dalen, Dominic and Brooks; and many nephews and nieces. She is also survived by her partner of more than 40 years, Robert Oglesbee of San Benito.
She will be dearly missed by her many friends and will be forever in our hearts.
Memorial donations are suggested to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa in honor of the many dogs and cats Patricia loved throughout her lifetime or may be sent to Hastings Funeral Home, P.O. Box 204, Perry, IA 50220.
