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Patricia Wheeler
September 16, 1937 - August 27, 2009
Oskaloosa, Iowa
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| Visitation: Will begin after 10:00 a.m., Saturday morning, August 29, 2009 at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel, the family will be present from 5:00 to 7:00 pm to greet visitors. A Scripture Serv ice will be held at 7:00 p.m. following the visitation. |
| Funeral Service: 2:00 p.m., Sunday afternoon, August 30, 2008 at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Reverend Thomas Spiegel officiating. |
Interment: As was her wish, Pat's body will be cremated following the funeral. Her ashes will be interred at a later date.
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Pat died Thursday morning at her home in Oskaloosa after a short battle with cancer. She was 71 years, 11 months and 11 days of age.
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Patricia Catherine Wheeler was born September 16, 1937 in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan to Richard (Dick) and Beulah (McClinchey) Deuman. Pat graduated from Brimley High School in 1955, and received a BA in Elementary Education from Central Michigan University in 1959. She was united in marriage October 29, 1960 to Joseph F. Wheeler at St. Francis Xavier Church in Brimley, MI. After their marriage they lived in 14 states in 16 years. Their three oldest children were born in Rapid City, SD and their youngest child was born in Minot, SD.
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She taught in the Warren school district in Detroit, MI until her marriage. Pat stayed home to raise four children. Later she found a career helping people get an education and find a job, most recently through Promise Jobs administered by Indian Hills Community College. She began her career in job counseling in the early 70’s while living in Littleton, CO. When her family moved to Oskaloosa in 1975, she worked at Job Service of Iowa, now Workforce Development, and then IHCC to work as a Generalist assisting people on welfare through the Job Training Partnership Act. She helped many, many people. Pat was an active member of St. Mary’s Parish, serving twice on the Parish Council and on various committees.
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She enjoyed the company of her family and friends; card playing; trips to visit children and relatives in Washington, Texas, Wyoming and Michigan; wintering in Alabama and the occasional visit to the casinos. She was a member of the local Red Hats Society and enjoyed many day trips with her group.
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Pat is survived by her husband of 48 years, Joe and their four children: Kelly Wheeler (CJ, Isaac, and Sarah Minter) of Oskaloosa; Anthony and Michelle Wheeler (Dylan and Maizey) of Seattle, WA; Matt Wheeler of Houston, TX; and Kate Wheeler of Jackson Hole, WY. She is also survived by a sister, Diane (Neil) Madsen of Alpena, MI; and brothers: Gary (Leanne) Deuman of Sault Ste Marie, MI and Brian (Sharon) Deuman of Seattle, WA. She was blessed with one great granddaughter, Grace Minter and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers: Kenneth, Richard and Ernie; and a sister, Jean.
Memorials may be made to Mahaska Hospice.
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