Patricia Ann Ehrhardt Breitsprecher, age 92, of Elkader, formerly of Monona, died Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at Elkader Care Center. Services will be held 11 am Saturday, May 25 at Norway Lutheran Church, 18829 200th St., St. Olaf. Visitation will be held at 10 am prior to the memorial service. Burial to be in the Norway Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Pat was born on February 15, 1932 in Forest City to Paul and Alma Ruth (Anderson) Mather. Shortly after her birth, her parents moved to a farm near Kanawha. Sadly, Pat’s mother died when she was only 4 years old. At age 7, she moved to Elkader where she was lovingly raised by her sister’s family (Louise, Harold, John, Bob & Nancy Griffith). Pat was baptized and confirmed at the First Congregational Church and graduated from Elkader High School in 1949.
On August 19, 1950, Pat married William Ehrhardt, Jr. at the First Congregational Church. They had four children: Carroll, Ruth, Donna and Mark. The family lived on the Ehrhardt Century Farm, southwest of Elkader and attended Peace UCC Church. In addition to being a busy farm wife and mother, Pat worked at the Griffith Press (Clayton County Register) until retiring in 1997. Pat was a 4-H leader, and a member of both P.E.O. and BPW (Business and Professional Women of Iowa).
Pat and Bill later divorced. On May 30, 1985, Pat married Kenneth Breitsprecher at the Little Brown Church, Nashua. They lived many years in the Elkader and St. Olaf area until his passing. Pat enjoyed playing cards, cooking and reading. She was also an avid designer of quilts. Some of her quilts were made to mark special occasions or milestones for family members, while others were to be given to Veterans and Church members.
Survivors are Ruth Ehrhardt of Cedar Rapids, Donna (Dan) Ryherd of Ely and Mark (Coral) Ehrhardt of Monona; ten grandchildren – Eric, Lanette, John, Mark, Lee, Grant, Jan, Monica, Melissa and Samantha; 15 great-grandchildren and step-daughters Jean, Mary and Lois and their families.
Pat was preceded in death by both husbands; son, Carroll; daughter-in-law, Sandra Ehrhardt, and her siblings – Paul, Louise and Ellen.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am with a visitation from 10:00 am to time of service on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at Norway Lutheran Church in St. Olaf, Iowa with Pastor Marshall Hahn as the officiant.
Inurnment will follow at Norway Lutheran Church Cemetery, St. Olaf, Iowa.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elkader, Iowa is assisting the family with services.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shepherd of the Hills Ministries, The Keystone Bridge Rehabilitation Project or the Norway Lutheran Church.