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Patricia Anne Perry

In loving memory of our mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother, we celebrate the life of Patricia Anne Perry. She was born July 2, 1939, in Pensacola, Florida, where her father, Chief Petty Officer Lloyd Carl Calder, and mother, Lola Belden, lived as a US Navy military family. Patricia was baptized on November 11, 1951, with all of her siblings and confirmed on May 24, 1953 at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Chula Vista, California. Some of Patricia’s favorite memories are of the times spent growing up near the ocean and with family in Hawaii, Pensacola, Chula Vista and San Diego. After the retirement of her father, the Calder family, (Lloyd, Step-Mother Bernice, Sisters Arline, Enid and Su, and Brothers Warren, Bruce and Joe) moved to Bayard, Iowa and purchased a farm. She attended Bayard High School. The marriage of Charles F. Perry and Patricia was blessed by four children, Julia, Jacqueline, Burke, and Brett. Her faith was private but she boldly led her children to faith. It was important to her for her children to grow up in the Christian faith. Patricia worked for the Marshalltown Public School District at B.R. Miller Junior High as a teacher aide. She was the most feared librarian and study hall monitor in Miller history! She once gave her own son detention, Burke not Brett. She loved her Miller family, (her coworkers). In true Pat style she tried to keep her retirement a secret, as she wasn’t one to celebrate, BUT her coworkers were tipped off, and took her to breakfast. She mellowed in retirement and loved being with her kids and grandkids. She loved the Arizona sun!

After retiring from her position in Marshalltown, Patricia moved to Phoenix in 2003 to be near her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed many holidays, birthdays, and celebrations with her family. She will be dearly missed by all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Emily, Anna, Desiree, Natalie, Johnathon, Lucas, Ariel, Ryan, Preston, Rebekah, Kristiana, Theron, and Elliott.

God blessed Patricia with artistic talents. She enjoyed sewing, painting, decorating, woodworking, refinishing furniture, bow making, and crafting intricate paper flowers of her own design. She had a keen sense for fashion and loved finding a hidden treasure while thrifting.

Her honesty and candid nature let those around know what was on her heart. She was not afraid to share the truth covered in love.

Patricia wanted to enjoy her final months in the comfort and peace of her own home. She was blessed to have her daughter-in-law, Stefanie, serve as her Hospice nurse. The daily and faithful teamwork of her son Brett and Stefanie exemplified the true love Patricia showed her own family.

In her last days, she was surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was able to give her love, encouragement, and advice to her siblings, children, and grandchildren in her own honest way. She was called to be with her Lord on December 28, 2016.

The family and friends gathered to celebrate her life at a memorial service was held at Christ Church-Lutheran, Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday January 15, 2017. In attendance were her sisters and Brothers; Arline Carter, of Peoria, AZ; Enid Baggett, of Paradise, CA; Su Sheley, of Adel, IA; Joe Calder, of Ladd,Il and Bruce Calder, of Ocean Beach,CA; also her children, grandchildren, niece and nephews.

Memorial donations can be made to Atonement Lutheran Church, 4001 W Beardsley Rd, Glendale, AZ 85308,

The words of her favorite hymn “Abide with Me” are a testament to her faith.

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