Memorial
On February 8, 2025, at Emery Place Assisted Living in Robins, Iowa, our mother, Patricia Ann (Pat) Pannkuk, 92, died peacefully holding the hands of her family.
Mom was born in Forest City, Iowa, on May 23, 1932, to Florence (Bernemann) and Sylvester Berger. As a child, growing up in Forest City, Mom enjoyed visiting the public library, often starting and finishing a book on the front steps of the library, hosting slumber parties, hot dog and marshmallow roasts in the fireplace that her father built in the back yard, and walking the Winnebago River with friends all the way to the swinging bridge. Lifelong friendships increased when she attended Forest City High School where she played the saxophone in marching, concert and jazz band, performed in plays and musicals and helped publish the yearly annual and school paper.
After graduation from high school in 1950, she attended Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, and Ottumwa Heights College in Ottumwa, Iowa and earned a teaching degree. She appreciated her time in college and developed friendships that continued for over 70 years. In 1952 she accepted a position as a kindergarten teacher in Buffalo Center, Iowa, and taught another year in second grade. Little did Miss Berger know that Buffalo Center would become her home. She met Herbert (Herb) Pannkuk on a date arranged by mutual friends. After dates of dancing at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, IA, picnics and hikes at Pilot Knob State Park and other adventures they were married on June 9, 1953, at St. James Catholic Church in Forest City, Iowa. They cherished 59 years of married life until Dad died on January 22, 2013.
Mom was the heart of our home and family. She devoted her life to her marriage and our family of nine. We were spoiled with her homecooked meals, homemade butter horn rolls, fresh vegetables from our garden, and apples, peaches and pears from the trees in the backyard. Her hallmark culinary creations were “made from scratch” pies – rhubarb, apple, peach, cherry, lemon and other requested flavors. Mom generously shared her pies and homecooked meals with neighbors and friends. Her gracious heart extended beyond our home when she taught catechism classes at St. Patrick’s Church, volunteered for the Altar Society and other church events, led Brownie, Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops and assisted at school functions.
Mom returned to teaching and became a valued paraprofessional for many years for North Iowa School District. Upon retirement she and Dad devoted their days to caring for our sister, Paula, who battled Multiple Sclerosis and died on October 9,1999. In retirement they enjoyed day trips to add to antique collections, played 500 with their friends and took bus trips to California and Arizona. In 2008 Mom and Dad moved from our family home in Buffalo Center to Cedar Rapids to be closer to us. They made new friends when they joined Golden Ages at St. Pius Church and the Lowe Park card group. They tailgated with us for Hawkeye games and traveled to watch their grandchildren’s events.
After Dad’s passing, Mom lived independently and continued her hobbies of making home-cooked meals, trying new recipes, reading books, playing cards and cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes, Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. Her daily routine included watching Mass on EWTN and praying the rosary. In the end, Mom reflected, “I was blessed with a great life. I am so grateful for the blessing of a long and healthy life.” Her strong faith in trusting in God, prioritizing family, learning, hard work and helping others will live on through her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Survivors include her children: Mike (Mary) Pannkuk of Burnsville, MN, Dorothy (Duane) Lemke of Bettendorf IA, Bob (Patty) Pannkuk of Woodbury, MN, Mary (Mark) Christensen of Quincy, IL, Mark (Lisa) Pannkuk of Cedar Rapids, IA, Karen (Randy) Luken of Urbandale, IA. Grandchildren: Sarah (Jake) Maas of Minneapolis, MN, David (Andrea Grice) of Reseda, CA, Anne Marie (Dustin) Anderson of St. Louis, MO, Kirstin Pannkuk of Lake Elmo, MN, Conrad (MaryAnn) Pannkuk of Dearborn, MO, Ella (Lotu) Ahomana of Kansas City, MO. Great Grandchildren: Momoko Maas, Claire Anderson and Matney “Mattie” Pannkuk.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, Herb, daughter, Paula, as well as beloved brothers and sisters in law: Bernard and LuElla Pannkuk, Frances and John Brunsen, Melvin and Berneice Post, Bertha and Raleigh Hesley and Boyd and Rina Pannkuk.
Mass of Christian burial will be at St. Pius X Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on February 11, 2025 at 10 A.M. Cedar Memorial is in charge of funeral arrangements. Visitation will be at the church beginning at 9 A.M. Interment will be at Graceland cemetery on February 12, Buffalo Center, Iowa at 11 A.M. After the burial the family will meet friends at Market Main Street, in Buffalo Center.
Memorial contributions can be made to: Metro Catholic Outreach Food Pantry or your local food pantry.