Patricia Beranek

Patricia Beranek, affectionately known as “Granny Pat”, passed away in her home on Thursday, October 17 surrounded by her loving family.

Granny Pat was born on December 12, 1924, to Albert and Alice (Kos) Stumpf, one of 14 children. She attended Holy Trinity Catholic school in Richmond, Iowa and continued her education throughout her life as an avid reader. After leaving the family farm as a young woman Pat worked as a nanny for several families in Iowa and Buffalo, NY. In November of 1949 Pat was united in marriage to Bob Beranek in Richmond, Iowa, where they made their home and where Pat lived for 70 years. To this union three children were born, Wendee, Jim, and Sandy.

Granny Pat is survived by her daughter, Wendee Beranek of Joetown, IA; son, Jim (Jane) Beranek of Cedar Falls, IA; and by daughter, Sandy (Randy) Berg of Richmond, IA; by 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; by 6 sisters: Mary Ann Mellinger; Lola Hogan; Barb Strickler; Jean Westerbeck; Judy Allen; and Sally Hamilton; by numerous nieces and nephews; and by her very good friends Linda Davis, Joanne Horesowsky, and Julie Frieden.

Granny Pat was preceded in death by her parents; by her husband Bob in 1981; by her siblings Markie, Wilma, Helen, Lorraine, Ed, Bob, and Diane, and a great-grandson.

A celebration of Granny Pat’s life will be held at Kalona United Methodist Church, 302 4th St., Kalona, IA on Saturday, November 23. A time of visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 p.m. with a celebration of life service to follow. Memorials may be directed to the family to be designated to the Kalona Library and the Richmond Park.

Granny Pat was a kind and gentle soul. She loved reading, tending her flower gardens, watching the birds outside her windows and her grandchildren’s sporting events with fingers crossed for good luck. Her loving presence and her unconditional love will be greatly missed. The most precious thing to Granny was her family. Some of Granny’s final words were “I want to put my arms around all of you.” As Granny approached death, she told her family, “It is beautiful, so beautiful. Don’t be afraid to die. Thank you, thank you. I love you.”