Patricia "Pat" Louise (Green) Fankhauser

Patricia Louise Fankhauser, mostly known by her name, Pat, entered into eternity on November 30, 2022, Mercy Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa. Pat was born 93 years ago in the home of Gottlieb and Christina Knapp, her grandparents who lived in Harrington, Washington. She was the daughter of Robert Sargent and Hedwig Caroline Knapp Green. The family moved to Manning, Iowa in about 1933 to farm on of Robert’s dad’s farm. They moved later to Brooklyn, Iowa buying their own farm near Guernsey, Iowa, where Pat graduated from high school in 1947, teaching a country school that next school year.

That enabled her to go back to ISTC (Iowa State Teachers College) and earn a 2-year certificate. She then taught in Stanwood where she met Walter Fankhauser and they were married on February 14, 1951. They lived in Tipton having 3 children, Laurie Jo, Larry Jon and Gary Lee. Pat later received her BA Degree from the University of Iowa and resumed teaching for 35 total years, mostly in 5th grade, retiring in 1991. 

Through the years Pat enjoyed activities such as sewing, genealogy, gardening, piano, stained glass, reading and bridge. After retiring she enjoyed attending with friends over twenty Elderhostel’s in the US and several trips to Europe including a couple of times to Israel. She also enjoyed several cruises with family members. She had volunteered with Meals on Wheels, the Senior Center, Food Pantry, Volunteer Drivers and belonged to Friends of The Animals, the Tri Sigma’s, Federated Women’s Club, the VFW Auxiliary, the United Methodist Women where she was at one time a district officer and she was also a Red Hat Lady.

Pat is survived by her children, Laurie Waite and her husband, David, of Phoenix, Arizona and Gary Fankhauser of Tipton, Iowa; grandchildren, Chris (Breanne) Knouse of Phoenix, AZ, Marc Waite of West Branch, IA, and Tom (Erin) Waite of Crofton, MD; great grandchildren, Ryder & Corbin Knouse, Cheyanne, Katlyn, Zayden & Kiley Waite and Jack & Charlie Waite. Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Walter and her son, Larry. 

A casual gathering of family and friends will be held at the Tipton VFW on Thursday, December 8, 2022 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. 

On Friday, December 9, 2022, a Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 am in the United Methodist Church in Tipton, with Rev. Paul Fredericksen officiating. A private family Graveside service will be held in the Evergreen Hill Cemetery near Cedar Bluff, IA.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com. Should friends so desire, memorials may be directed to the Tipton First United Methodist Church.

Cards and Memorials may be mailed to Fry Funeral Home, PO Box 30, Tipton, IA 52772, in c/o Pat Fankhauser.