Submit a PhotoPatricia Ann Schade, 79, passed away peacefully surrounded by her three daughters on January 12th in Gilbert, Arizona. Pat led a very happy, active life filled with family and friends.
Pat was born to Kenneth and Thelma Gethmann in Des Moines, Iowa on October 4, 1941. She attended Gladbrook, Iowa High School, graduating in 1959. Pat was a guard on the girl’s 6-on-6 1959 state championship basketball team. She was selected as co-captain of the All-Tournament team and was later inducted into the Iowa Girls Basketball Hall of Fame. Pat fondly told the story of the blizzard the night of the state championship when all the fans were snowed in at Vets Auditorium. Frosty Mitchell was brought in to entertain everyone with an all-night sock hop!
Pat attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa after high school. On March 18, 1961 Pat was united in marriage to Leon G. Schade at the United Methodist Church in Gladbrook, Iowa. They celebrated over 50 years of marriage and raised three daughters together: Cynde Turner (Tim) of Twin Lakes, Iowa and Gilbert, AZ; Renee Myers of Gilbert, AZ, and Sue Auer (John) of Clive, IA.
Pat spent the majority of her life as a successful hotelier and businesswoman. She and Leon owned and operated the Best Western Regency Inn, the Comfort Inn and the Econolodge in Marshalltown, Iowa and the Budget Host Inn in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Pat’s many professional accomplishments included being appointed Governor for Best Western District III for many years and she was the First Female President of Iowa Lodging Association. Pat also served on the Board of Directors at US Bank in Marshalltown. Upon retirement from the industry, Pat and Leon relocated to Gilbert, AZ.
Pat’s love for international travel transcended into her work. Through the Association for International Practice Teaching (AIPT) she worked to sponsor a multitude of individuals from around the world to work for her in Marshalltown. Not only did this provide the foundation for young international professionals to develop their careers in the lodging business, she became lifelong friends with many of those she sponsored and it allowed her to maintain friendships throughout the world.
Pat was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan, loved international travel, and always had a book in her hand. She will be remembered for her hard work and her love and loyalty to family and friends.
A very special role Pat cherished was as grandma to her grandchildren: Jeff Lynch, Jenny Stein (Nick), Cory Turner (Alicia), Ashley and Matthew Myers, Samantha, Jake and Michael Auer and great grandchildren: Mason, Harper, Kinley and Lainey Stein and Braelyn Turner.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband Leon.
The family will be holding a small private service at a future date. Memorials can be made in Patricia Schade’s name to Alzheimer’s Association at: http://act.alz.org/goto/Pat_Schade
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I worked for Pat in Iowa. We always keep in touch, Pat an Leon came to Socorro,NM just to visit us, we went to Arizona to visit them. She was a lovely woman who will be remembered with good memories. I am so sorry .
We will always remember the great times with our friends, Pat and Leon. A few things that stands out about my remembrance of Pat was her large customized purse with pictures of all of the grandkids on the front. She loved to entertain and her hospitality was so welcoming. Loved her smile and laugh. She was so proud of her family and it was quite evident how special her family was to her. I don’t exactly remember how we were initially introduced – maybe a real estate ad in a magazine? Anyway, my husband, Jim and I are real estate agents and ended up representing Pat & Leon in buying their 1st & 2nd AZ homes. We loved them both from the day we met them and developed a great friendship from there. We will always hold the memories close to our hearts. Our prayers are with the family – May God cover Cynde, Renee, Sue and families with His comfort and peace during the days and months ahead. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼❌⭕️❌⭕️
So very sorry for your loss! Thoughts & prayers for your families!
Sending our sympathy to your family.
My parents, Berkeley & Helen Smith sat behind Leon & Pat at Hawkeye games for many years. While Suzanne and I lived in Izmir, Turkey in early 90’s, the Schades arrived on a tour and called us “out of the blue” saying my parents told them to call us. Thus began a very long and fun relationship. We traded many visits over the years including an annual joint birthday celebration (my mother and Pat were both early October) usually in Amana after a football game. Through Pat & Leon we also got to know Cynde, Renee, Sue and their families. These last few years have had to have been difficult for them all. We know Pat is now in a much better place … probably laughing with Leon. Suzanne and I count the Schades as very special friends and we’ll miss them, but will carry fond memories of our fun times together forever. God bless all the Schade clan. You are in our best thoughts and prayers.
My deepest condolences are with you and your family Renee. I’m so sorry for your loss. Sincerely.
Teresa
Josephine and I were some of those lucky individuals that Mrs. S and Leon sponsored to come to Marshalltown, joined to work with their company and we both so greatful that Mrs S and Leon were part of our life journey. Now they both in heaven together again and much more in better place. Our deepest condolences to cynde, sue, renee and family. God Bless and our thought and prayer to you all.
Our condolences to Cynde,Renee and Sue and your families . Pat andLeon were special friends of our family. We got to know your parents through my father and mother Berkeley and Helen Smith of Waterloo . We shared special times of birthdays, Hawkeye football and other family moments. You have been and will continue to be held in our hearts with loving memories and much support for your loss. I like my brother Bruce believe Leon and Pat are together again perhaps sharing stories with our parents.. God be with you.
I am really sorry to hear of Pat’s passing. She was a special friend and classmate. My deepest sympathy goes to her daughters and their families..