Obituaries

Patricia Blaker, 78, of Perry, Iowa

Patricia Ann Smith was born May 1, 1939 in Ames, Iowa, the daughter of Walter and Beverly (Wertz) Smith. She graduated from Ames High School in the class of 1957 and attended, what is now known as, UNI, where she met the love of her life. She married Larry Grant Blaker on December 21, 1958 at the Collegiate Methodist Church in Ames.

Pat and Larry resided in Cedar Falls, IA from 1958 until 1962 where Larry was a Cedar Falls Police Officer. Larry accepted his first teaching position in 1963 at Boone High School, where they lived until moving to Perry in 1970. She was a devoted mother and homemaker. She worked many years for the Perry school system at the administration building and as secretary at Perry High School, until her retirement. Pat enjoyed traveling and the winters her and Larry spent in Destin, Florida. She loved to spend time with her family and enjoyed reading to her great grandchildren and keeping up with the activities and newest adventures of her grandchildren.

Pat was an avid reader and had a wealth of knowledge about most anything you needed answers to. She loved to bird watch and knew every name of bird species that took flight. She could get squirrels to eat from her hand and was know by some of her friends and family as the “Squirrel Whisperer”. Bridge was also a favorite pass time and she spent many hours playing with her bridge club and friends.

Survivors include her three sons Jim (Cindy) Blaker of Colfax, IA, Joe (Julie) Blaker of Woodward, IA, Tom Blaker of Sunnyville, CA; one brother Greg (Becky) Smith of West Burlington, IA; sister-in-law Bobbette (Blaker) Fortney of Cedar Falls, IA; seven grandchildren Max (Alex) Blaker, Andrew Farley, Arion (Justin) Tooley, Amanda (Ben) Feathers, Elyse Blaker, Samantha Blaker, Andrew Blaker; four great grandchildren Callie Jo Tooley, Kinsey Tooley, Colt Tooley, Graeme Blaker and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding Pat in death were her husband on May 20, 2017, her parents, one sister Barbara Binkley and a nephew John Binkley.

A visitation, with the family receiving friends, will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2017 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Murdock Funeral Home, Perry, IA. Memorials may be directed in Pat’s name and may be left or sent to the funeral home. The Memorial Golf Tournament, in honor of Larry and Pat, will be held the following day, Sunday, July 9, 2017, at the Perry Golf and Country Club.