Obituary of Patricia A. Hammons

Patricia (Pat) A. Hammons, the daughter of Paul and Mildred Greer, was born in Carroll, IA on October 22nd, 1931. Pat grew up in Audubon, IA, graduating from Audubon High School in 1949. After graduation, Pat attended Ottumwa Heights Junior College for two years and finished her BA at Mary Crest College in Davenport, IA. She attended Loras College in Dubuque, IA for several summers and received her MA from Drake University in Des Moines, IA.

Pat taught in Iowa schools for 38 years, with the last 20 years being for Newton Public Schools (Aurora Heights Elementary). She took great pride in her teaching, and it always seemed as though she remembered every student that she taught!  "They were a student of mine" was a phrase heard often even years after her retirement.

Pat was united in marriage with Robert Hammons in 1979. In their early retirement years, they enjoyed traveling and visited many states in the U.S. Pat enjoyed watching the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones. After her retirement, Pat became an avid reader. She had an entire record box of every book she had ever read, sorted by the author so she could keep track of what books she had already read. She loved going to The Booker Trader in Newton to stock up on the latest book releases and traded books with her sister, Rosanne, as often as they were able.

Pat passed away peacefully at her home on November 3rd, 2024. She was proceeded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert Hammons in 2022; her sister, Mary Kay Kroska of Apple Valley, MN and a stepson, Randy Hammons. 

Those left to honor Pat's memory include her sister, Rosanne Doran of Council Bluffs, IA; stepdaughters Cynthia Hammons-Balmer of Newton and Sharon Hammons of Oskaloosa, IA; a very special step granddaughter, Molly Balmer of Kellogg, IA and many special nieces and nephews. 

A special thank you to the St. Croix Hospice staff who went above and beyond to make sure Pat was taken care of and that her last days were comfortable.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or St. Croix Hospice and can be left at Pence Reese Funeral Home.