April 12, 1939 - September 23, 2024
Funeral Mass for Patricia “Pat” Elbert was celebrated on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Divine Mercy Parish - St. Cecelia Catholic Church. Burial was at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery in Whittemore.
Patricia Ann, daughter of Charles and Catherine (Kisch) Kollasch, was born on April 12, 1939, in Whittemore. She graduated from The Presentation Academy in Whittemore in 1957. She graduated from St. Vincent School of Nursing in Sioux City in 1960. She was united in marriage on Nov. 19, 1960, to James Peter Elbert at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Whittemore.
Pat was employed as a nurse for 39 years. She worked as an RN at St. Ann’s Hospital in Algona, Drs. Koob and Schutter, Dr. Rooney and then a variety of other nursing positions until she retired in 1999.
Pat was a lifeguard as she enjoyed swimming as well as time in the sun. She enjoyed the outdoors, particularly working in the vegetable and flower gardens, as well as playing golf, camping and fishing. She and Jim enjoyed their lake home at Fox Lake where they spent hours together and with her extended family, particularly around the campfire. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Together they volunteered for many years at St. Cecelia’s Church where she spent 18 years as a funeral usher.
Pat was a caregiver her whole life. She knew she wanted to be a nurse when she was in the 8th grade. Some of her greatest joy came from caring for others outside of her nursing career, including family members and friends. Pat enjoyed cooking for her family. She would stand at the stove for hours frying fresh fish that we all caught while spending time together. However, her favorite meal when at the lake was a hotdog on a stick over the campfire.
Pat died Sept. 23 in Des Moines Iowa at MercyOne Medical Center after a very short illness at the age of 85.
Survivors include children: Julie Opdahl (Ray Timmerman) of Norwalk, Doug Elbert of Grimes, Steve Elbert (David Rowell) of West Des Moines, Jolene Lensing (John) of Clive, and Christie Berte (Curt) of Livermore; 11 grandchildren: Jenna (Garrett) Dickinson of West Des Moines, Brett (Lydia) Opdahl of Grimes, Cody Elbert of Iowa City, Tom Lensing of Des Moines, Sheridan (Bryce) Eick of Waverly, Nick (Anna) Lensing of Des Moines, Victor (Christine) Berte of Lu Verne, Spencer Elbert of Des Moines, Anna Lensing of West Des Moines, Donovan Berte of Waverly and Rozyln Elbert of Ames; and nine great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her brother, Richard (Ellen) Kollasch of Princeton.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her daughter Pamela Elbert, daughter-in-law Jennifer Elbert; sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary (Harry) Jorgensen, Florence (Kenny) Farrell and Geraldine (Tom) Wolfe; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim (Laverne) Kollasch, William “Peanuts” Kollasch and John (Colleen) Kollasch.
Arrangements were handled by Oakcrest Funeral Services. Condolences may be left at www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com.