"Pat was my 3rd-grade teacher at Holy Rosary. Several years ago I found her on Facebook and we became friends. I am very glad we connected in later years. I am very sorry that she passed on. Prayers for Pat and her family. May she RIP"
In loving memory of
Patricia Milefchik
December 2, 1939 - January 13, 2021
Patricia A. Milefchik of Fort Dodge passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at Iowa Lutheran Hospital, Des Moines, Iowa.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 18, 2021 at Holy Trinity Church. Burial will follow at Corpus Christi Cemetery. A visitation will be 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday at Laufersweiler Funeral Home. Masks and social distancing will be required.
The services will be livestreamed via the Laufersweiler Funeral Home Facebook Page and the services will digitally recorded in HD and link will be posted here to view the services for anyone not on Facebook.
Patricia was born at Mercy Hospital, Fort Dodge, Iowa on December 2, 1939 to Thomas and Eloise Mallinger. She grew up on a farm seven miles east of Fort Dodge. Pat graduated from St. Edmond Catholic school in 1957 and furthered her education at Iowa Central Community College, obtaining an AA degree in Teacher Education in 1959, Bachelor of Science in Education, Elementary Education from Drake University in 1968 and Master of Science and Education, Supervision in Curriculum and Instruction in 1986. She also did post-graduate work at Drake, UNI, U of 1, ISU, Marycrest and Morningside. Pat taught at Holy Rosary school for two years, followed by 38 years in the Fort Dodge public school system where she retired in June of 2000. She was a member of Holy Trinity parish for 61 years where she also volunteered as a server for funeral dinners. Pat was a member of Friends of the Public Library, past President and co-manager of the bookstore there.
Pat was united in marriage to Dennis Milefchik at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Fort Dodge, Iowa, on June 27, 1959. Dennis and Pat became the parents of three children, William (Bill), Angela and Joel. She is survived by her husband, Dennis Milefchik of Fort Dodge; children Angela Mascharka (Mark) of Roscoe, Illinois and Joel Milefchik (Sharon) of Iowa City, Iowa; grandchildren Luke, Taylor, Emily, and Ashley and siblings Mike Mallinger, Marylin Garris, Diane Easley, Sheila O'Hern and Mark Mallinger. She was preceded in death by her parents, son Bill, sister Helen Arndorfer, and brother-in-law Bob Easley.
Pat very much enjoyed reading books, but her greatest joy was spending time with her family. She and Dennis traveled to several other countries after retirement. The most memorable trips were with the whole family that included a Caribbean cruise, two-week tour of Great Britain and a cruise on the St. Laurence River Seaway.
Her beautiful smile, jovial laugh, warm conversations and the love she gave to many will be forever greatly missed by all. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.
Tributes
"My thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn the loss of Pat. May God be near to give you strength and comfort. May He bless and keep you in His loving care. And may it help you just to know that He is always there. Find comfort knowing Pat is now resting in Eternal Peace with Our Heavenly Father. Sympathy and Prayers, Mary Ann Sturdevant Erickson"
"We are so sorry to hear the news of Pat. Sending our deepest sympathy to Denny and all the family. May she rest in the gentle peace and love of the Lord. Love, strength and prayers from us in Ireland. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis, Pauline & Michael "
"I'm so sorry for the loss of Pat. She helped me become a better teacher. It was always a pleasure to see Pat and Dennis at Mass. A wife, mother and grandmother's loss leaves a huge hole in your heart. Sharon HIckey"
"ONE OF MY BEST TEACHERS IN BUTLER SCHOOL! REST IN PEACE!"
"My sincere condolences!"
"Great role model."
"My deepest sympathies to Denny, Angie and Joel. I know it has been forever since we have all seen each other, but I still remember going over to your house when we were kids. Pat was a wonderful person."
"My thoughts and prayers are with you, Dennis and your family. Mrs. Milefchik was my 5th grade teacher at Butler School, 1963-1964 and was one of my favorites!!!! Sally Hager Condon"
"Dennis & family, you have my heartfelt condolences in the loss of your beloved wife & mother. I was in her first 6th grade class that was bused from Cooper School to Duncombe. We were a mildly unruly lot but when Pat announced she was pregnant all got better. She really helped in our transition. May all your treasured memories together bring you peace & joy. John Calisesi"
"Our sincerest sympathies to Denny, Angie, Joel and their families. ~Kay G.; Gayle and John J."