Patricia L. Walter, 86, of Ottumwa, died at 3:40 a.m. September 1, 2024 at River Valley Place of Ottumwa.
She was born December 30, 1937 in Keokuk to James Raymond and Louise Katherine Mansheim Mullen. She married her spouse of 55 years, Richard (Dick) Walter, on June 14, 1958 at St Francis De Sales Church in Keokuk. They moved to Ottumwa in June 1959 when Richard began his 30 year career at John Deere Ottumwa Works. They welcomed daughters Kathy in November 1959 and Deb in December 1963. Shortly thereafter they moved to their first farm between Ottumwa and Blakesburg. Over the years they added more farmland, at various times, raising sheep, hogs, cattle and crops including beans, corn and hay. They also almost always had a dog and housecat as well as many working farm cats. Pat loved their farm as much as Dick did and later waited a year to retire so they could buy a new tractor.
She taught for one year at Cardinal Elementary and then graduated from William Penn University with a bachelor’s in Elementary Ed. She would add to this degree a master’s in Special Education from North East Missouri State and a Specialist in Special Education from the University of Iowa. She taught special ed for a year in Jackson County, and several years at Blakesburg Elementary before beginning a 24 year career at the newly formed local area education agency (AEA) serving as a learning disability consultant and later as a work experience coordinator, retiring in 1999.
She then began her work as a volunteer. Over the years she served Wapello/ Davis County Hospice as a companion and then weekly cook, various nursing homes as a companion and helped with many funeral dinners at her parish, St Patrick’s. She also helped her daughter Kathy lead her granddaughter’s Girl Scout Troop and enjoyed teaching the troop how to sew and embroider. Later she and her daughter Deb sewed over 150 dresses to donate to those in need around the world. She also donated to many charitable causes including Heartland Humane.
She was a proud grandma to Susan, Michael, Hope and Joy and great-grandma to Patrick. She passed on her love of reading, drawing, sewing, cats, dogs and the country to them.
In October 2021, she moved to assisted living at River Valley Place of Ottumwa with her cat, Marie. She appreciated the many activities and friendships formed there as well as the dedicated care of the staff.
Surviving are her children, Kathy Gates of Ottumwa and Deb (David) Shawley of North Aurora, IL; four grandchildren, Susan (David) Cenci, Michael Gates, Hope and Joy Shawley; a great grandchild, Patrick; sister-in-law, Jean Mullen of Hampton, NH; two nephews, Patrick E. (Dianna) Mullen and Paul W. Mullen both of North Conway, NH.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Richard; a son-in-law, Van Gates; two brothers, Edward Mullen and William Mullen.
Visitation will be open at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 4th, at Reece Funeral Home. A Christian Wake and Rosary service will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, September 4th followed by family greeting friends until 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, September 5th at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Fr. Joseph Sia presiding. Burial will be in Shaul Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church or Heartland Humane Society.
