Patricia Dent
Patricia Dent, age 78, of Humeston, Iowa, the daughter of Raymond Newell and Clara Elizabeth (Foss) Olson, was born September 8, 1942, at Onawa, Iowa. She died at the Lucas County Health Care Center in Chariton, Iowa on Sunday, October 25, 2020.
Pat grew up and attended school in Onawa, graduating high school in 1960. While attending the University of Iowa, she met and started dating Joe Dennis Dent. They were married December 19, 1962, in Onawa. Joe graduated from the University of Iowa’s Air Force ROTC program with a double major in Economics and Accounting. They lived in Iowa City until she earned her bachelor’s degree in education in December of 1963. They were initially stationed in Mountain Home, Idaho. While there, Pat taught English and Speech at the local high school in Mountain Home. Joe was then transferred to High Wycombe RAF and Wethersfield RAF in England. While living in Great Dunmow, England, their first child, Deborah, was born. After Joe was discharged, the family returned to Onawa where they worked at Pat’s family’s Chevrolet dealership. In 1972, they moved to Humeston, Iowa to start farming where two more children, Tom and Sarah, were born.
The couple raised crops, livestock, a large garden, and chickens on their farm. Pat canned everything she could. She enjoyed her cats, bird watching, reading, and working puzzle books. She was an excellent cook and seamstress. She worked hard to provide a good home to her family and kept the cleanest house in the state! Pat was always ready to host gatherings with family and friends. She made family vacations and camping trips memorable. She learned to drive a stick shift 1929 Model A car “Francis”, an accomplishment she was very proud of. She and Joe were members of a Model A Club. She also was a member of the Humeston First Baptist Church, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, PEO, and Eastern Star. She served on the Humeston Library Board and the Wayne County Museum Board.
Preceding her in death were her parents and brother-in-law, Paul Claussen. Survivors include her husband, Joe Dent of Humeston; children, Deb and Paul Cooley of Grundy Center, Iowa, Tom and Denise Dent of Humeston, and Sarah and Tim Terrell of Memphis, Tennessee; six grandchildren, Josh, Rachel, Megan, Brianna, Katelyn, and Jacob; sister, Cathleen Claussen of Dubuque, Iowa; three nieces; Joe’s family; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Humeston, Iowa at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 29, 2020, with her son, Tom Dent, and Pastor Ron Barker officiating. Burial will be in the Green Bay Cemetery, Wayne County, Iowa. Arrangements were through the Slade – O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa.
Memorials may be given to the Humeston First Baptist Church or the Humeston First Responders in Pat’s memory.