Patricia S. Lomen

 Patricia S. Lomen, 87, of Clear Lake, died June 17, 2014 at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake. A Celebration of Life service was held on Saturday, June 21, 2014 at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with Rev. Tom Dettmer, of Trinity Lutheran Church, Mason City, officiating. Inurnment will be at a later time in the Clear Lake Cemetery. Family suggests memorials to Trinity Lutheran Church Music Program. Cards may be sent to: Kari Carlson, 10296 Heather Ave., Clear Lake, IA 50428

 Patricia Hope Stevens was born in LaCrosse, Wis., on Sept. 13, 1926, the daughter of Elvin and Agnes (Thompson) Stevens. Patsy loved growing up on the homestead dairy farm near Viroqua, Wis. She was a real “tomboy” who loved the outdoors and was proud that she climbed to the top of “Three Chimney’s”, a local landmark.
After graduating from Viroqua High School in 1944, Pat graduated from St. Olaf College in 1948 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Education and an English minor. She taught in various high schools and attended Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis and Wheaton College in Illinois. In the summer of 1949, Pat went on a 75 day biking trip with her best friend, Marilyn Swanson, and 11 others, under the sponsorship of Youth Hostels from Springfield, Mass., to Nova Scotia.
Pat married Donald Lomen on Aug. 11, 1956 in Westby, Wis. They met when he was the choir director and she was the Parish Ed. Director at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City. In 1959 they moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where Don was the Instrumental Music Consultant for the Des Moines Public Schools and Pat stayed home raising their three children. After the children were all in school, Pat taught English and Business classes in the Des Moines Public Schools until she retired in 1988.
In 1968 the family moved to Greeley, Colo., for one and a half years, where Pat earned her Master’s in Counseling and Guidance, while typing Don’s dissertation for his doctorate in Music Ed. from the University of Northern Colorado. While there, the family enjoyed going into the mountains almost every weekend to camp, fish and hike. Pat loved to travel and she and Don got to go on an Alaskan cruise and also to their parents’ native country of Norway. “Ya, sure ya betcha”!
In 1974 Pat and Don purchased a condo at Bayside, Clear Lake, where the family enjoyed many fun summers and countless beautiful sunsets. In 2000 Pat was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. After living in Des Moines for 46 years, they moved back to Clear Lake in 2005 to be closer to their daughter and family. Pat enjoyed water aerobics, playing the piano, playing with the grandkids, attending their sporting events and attending Don’s band concerts. She was a very kind and caring person who enjoyed life. She had a very strong faith in Jesus her Lord and Savior. Pat was a very active member of Windsor Heights Lutheran Church in Clive, Iowa, for 45 years and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City.
Patricia is survived by her daughter, Kari Carlson and her husband, Rod, Clear Lake; sons, Steven (Karen Webb) Lomen, Minneapolis, Minn., and David Lomen, Des Moines; grandchildren, Joshua (Laura) Carlson, Jerame Carlson, Samuel Lomen, Hannah Webb, Nikos Lomen, Twyla Lomen and Ryan Lomen; great-grandchild, Leland Carlson; sister, Mary Ann (Malcolm) Tuve, Hudson, Wis.; and sister-in-law, Helen Olson, Clear Lake.
Patricia is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Donald Lomen.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.