Patricia Gilles

Patricia Anne Gilles, 98, formerly of Clear Lake, died peacefully in her sleep Saturday morning, March 22, 2014 at Bethany Manor in Story City, Iowa.  A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at Bethany Manor, 212 Lafayette Ave., Story City, with Chaplain Sandy Anenson and Deacon Alan Christy officiating.  At a later date Pat will be inurned at Bradenton, Fla., next to her husband.

Pat was born in Denison, Iowa, on March 17, 1916 to Ed and Nell Mesenbrink.  After moving to Osage, Iowa, she met and married Dean “Pork” Gilles.  To this union, the couple was blessed with three children. The couple moved to Clear Lake in 1945, with Pat doing double duty helping run “the Ritz” and teaching fourth grade at Holy Family, Garner, Iowa, and finally in Clear Lake until the early 1970’s.  Pat and Pork retired to Florida in 1975, and Pat remained there until returning to Clear Lake in 2005.

Pat was a fun-loving individual who was game for anything, especially if the words “BINGO or slots” were mentioned.  She was a great mother, grandmother and friend, and will be greatly missed by all.

Pat is survived by her daughter, Barbara Leith, of Ames, Iowa; son, Jack Gilles, of Clear Lake; daughter-in-law, Mary Pat Cole, of Mason City, Iowa; grandchildren, Tom (Laurie) Gilles Jr., Traci (Jamey) Waterhouse and Alex Leith; and great-grandchildren, Grace Gilles, and Austin, Tyler, Caleb and Tanner Waterhouse.  

She was preceded in death by her husband, Pork, and her son, Tom.  

As a show of sympathy, memorials should be directed to the family.  On-line condolences may be expressed at www.StevensMemorialChapel.com.