Obituary

Patricia Ann Tretter, 84, passed away quietly in her home in Des Moines, IA, with family by her side and held dearly in the hearts of those unable to be present.

A rosary will be prayed at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at Saint Augustin Catholic Church, 545 42nd Ave, Des Moines, IA. This will be followed by a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. The funeral service, including a Catholic Mass, will be held at 11:00 a.m.

Interment will take place immediately after the service, followed by a luncheon at the church, where family and friends are invited to gather in fellowship and remembrance.

Pat was born on June 14, 1940, in Harrisburg, PA, to Martin Andrew and Mildred Frances Andrews. She graduated from Sacred Heart Hospital School of Nursing in 1961, and worked at Le’ahi Hospital in Hawaii in 1962. She met her beloved husband, Thomas, in Hawaii in 1961, and they were married on October 3, 1964.

While in Hawaii, they welcomed their first daughter, Anne. From there, they moved back to Tom’s home state of Minnesota, where Karen was born. They then moved to Kansas, where Laura was born, and then to Des Moines, IA, where they made a permanent home and welcomed their youngest daughter, Susan.

Pat was a devoted mother to her four daughters, who she taught to stand strong in the face of challenges, to act with integrity in all they do, and to live each day with the courage to be independent and true to themselves. Her lessons shaped them into remarkable women who carry her spirit forward. The wisdom and values she instilled will continue to guide them, a lasting gift from a mother who inspired through both word and deed. A pillar of Saint Augustin Parish since 1970, her faith and service there were central to her life, providing her with profound spiritual fulfillment and a cherished sense of community. She was an adventurer who loved to try new restaurants, work in her yard, and travel to visit her daughters. She was a loyal and generous donor to many charities.

Her loving memory lives on through her daughters, Anne Tretter of WA; Karen Bergh of CO; Laura Tretter of MT; and Susan Farris of WA; her sons-in-law, Cale of CO and Freddy of WA; Laura’s longtime partner, Jonathan of MT; her cherished grandsons, Nicholas and Andrew; her beloved granddaughters, Vivian and Mia; her great-grandsons, Zane, Mylo, and Daxton; her brothers, Martin and David of PA; and many extended family members and dear friends who were privileged to share in her life.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Martin Andrew and Mildred Frances, and her husband Tom.

Pat’s service will be live streamed on the Iles website. Go to www.ilescares.com just before 11:00 a.m. Thursday and scroll to the bottom of her obituary for the link to join the service.

ILES DUNN'S CHAPEL

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