Obituary of Patricia Ann Van Wyngarden

Patricia Ann Van Wyngarden, cherished wife, mom, grandma, great-grandma, and friend, died peacefully on April 13th, 2024 at the age of 89 after suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. She was born on July 8th, 1934, at her childhood home south of Reasnor, Iowa, to Kenneth Carnahan and Irene (Zwank) Carnahan.

Pat graduated from Newton High School with the class of 1952. On May 27th, 1953, she married Kenneth Van Wyngarden in Paso Robles, California, where they lived during his military service until 1954. Following Ken's discharge, they returned to Reasnor, Iowa, where they built a family and created a life together.

For 31 years, Pat served the community through her commitment to the United States Postal Service, retiring as the Postmaster of Reasnor. She was a lifelong fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, only occasionally embracing the Cyclones, and found immense joy in attending her boys’ fastpitch softball games and her grandchildren's activities and sporting events.

A passionate card player, Pat often found delight in friendly games with Ken. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Reasnor, contributing her time and effort to organizing community events like ice cream socials.

Pat will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her, but memories of her love, kindness, and sense of humor remain in those she leaves behind.

Those left to honor Pat’s memory are her sons, Craig (Fos) Van Wyngarden and Kent (Diane) Van Wyngarden; four grandchildren, Cory (Tafanie) Van Wyngarden, Kyle (Allison) Van Wyngarden, Abbey Van Wyngarden, and Anna Van Wyngarden; five great-grandchildren, Drew Van Wyngarden, Clair Van Wyngarden, Isabella Van Wyngarden, Emmaline Van Wyngarden, and Ruby Van Wyngarden; and her life-long friend, Marilyn Walker.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Van Wyngarden; parents, Kenneth and Irene Carnahan; parents-in-law, Wilbur and Florence Van Wyngarden; sister, Shirley Viney; and brother-in-law, Wendell and Judy Van Wyngarden.

A funeral service for Pat will be held at Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton, Iowa on Thursday, April 18^th, at 11:00 a.m. A live stream of the funeral service will be held on the Pence-Reese Funeral Home Facebook page. There will be a visitation with the family present at the funeral home on Wednesday, April 17^th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Interment will be at Hewitt Cemetery in Sully, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Patricia’s name to the Jasper County Christmas Courthouse Lighting or donation of your choice.