Patricia Lee "Pat" Gutschenritter, daughter of John and Margaret (Nelson) Smelcer, was born on March 15, 1930, at Shenandoah, Iowa. She passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2008, at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha at the age of 78.
Pat lived all her life in the Shenandoah area where she attended the Shenandoah Community Schools, graduating from Shenandoah High School with the Class of 1949. Following high school she attended and graduated from Commercial Extension in Omaha, Nebraska.
On April 16, 1955, Pat was united in marriage to Delmus Gutschenritter in Shenandoah. To this union were born three children, Denise, Danny and Debbie. Following their marriage they resided in the Shenandoah area. In addition to being a loving homemaker to her husband and children, she worked for Mount Arbor Nurseries and Lakes Nurseries as a bookkeeper. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and St. Mary's Guild. Family was most important to Pat. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and keeping up with all their many activities.
She is survived by her husband of over 53 years, Delmus Gutschenritter of Shenandoah, IA; three children Denise Smith and her husband Kevin of Shelby, NC, Danny Gutschenritter and his wife Janet of Creston, IA and Debbie Wheeler and her husband Ron of Glenwood, IA; six grandchildren, Ashley and Lindsey Smith of Shelby, NC, Cole and Jake Gutschenritter of Creston, IA and Kyle and Brady Wheeler of Glenwood, IA; other relatives and many friends.
Mass of Christian Burial was Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Shenandoah. Celebrant for the service was Rev. Vern Smith. Coleman Dailey was an alter server. Lecot for the service was Laurie Johnson. Jane Emge was song leader and Carol Lee Rees was the organist. Pat's grandchildren served as gift bearers. Ministers of Eucharist were Laurie Johnson and Vaughn Livingston. Jackie Hughes and Pat Head attended the memory register. Doug McGinnis, Joe Hughes and Jerry Head were ushers. Casket bearers were Dan Gutschenritter, Cole Gutschenritter, Jake Gutschenritter, Ron Wheeler, Kyle Wheeler, Brady Wheeler, Kevin Smith, Ashley Smith and Lindsey Smith. Inerment was in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Imogene, Iowa. Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.hackettlivington.com .