In Loving Memory
Patricia Alger
June 5, 1930 - September 16, 2020

VISITATION
Friday, September 18, 2020
5:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Ruthven, Iowa

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Saturday, September 19, 2020
1:00 P.M.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Ruthven, Iowa

CLERGY
Rev. Bill Schreiber

INTERMENT
Calvary Cemetery
Ruthven, Iowa

Patricia (Stewart) Alger, age 90, passed away September 16, 2020 at the Ruthven Care Center. Pat was born June 5, 1930 to Charles & Marie (Laughlin) Stewart near Graettinger, Iowa. They moved to Ruthven in 1932 & she lived there most of her life, graduating from Ruthven High School. Growing up, she learned to weld & helped out at Charlie's welding shop. In 1948, she married Lowell "Gene" Alger. They were married for 49 years. Gene passed away in January 1998. To this union, 2 daughters were born, Donna & Carol.

Pat stayed home with the girls until they started school, then she joined them at school as a school cook. Anyone who grew up in Ruthven will remember the homemade cinnamon rolls, cookies, & pizza made by the cooks. When grandchildren, Angie & Don were in school, she became known to many kids as "Grandma Pat". Pat retired in 1990 & she & Gene traveled, golfed, & enjoyed their grandchildren. Pat has said that if she knew how much fun the grandchildren were, she'd have had them first! She took her first hot air balloon ride at age 68 with grandson Mark & loved participating in the family's ballooning activities. She learned to quilt after she retired & made many beautiful quilts for family & friends. Any baby born to family or friends got a baby quilt! She also knitted & crocheted. She was a member of two Red-Hat clubs. One of her proudest moments was being named Citizen of the Year in Ruthven in 2003. Pat was also an excellent cook, known for her chocolate cake, homemade donuts, & cinnamon rolls. She loved to have big family dinners.

Pat is survived by her two daughters, Donna Mason of Ruthven & Carol Harris & husband Max of West Des Moines; 5 grandchildren, Angela Fay of Dubuque, Don Mason of Spirit Lake & girlfriend Beth Rivera, Missy Boerner & husband Brett of Urbandale, Mark Harris & significant other Stephanie Sosa of Denver, Colorado, & Dan Harris also of Denver, Colorado; 4 great-grandchildren, Brandon Pedersen of West Des Moines, Tyler Pedersen of Urbandale, Tricia Fay of Dubuque, & Brennan Fay of Dubuque; as well as several nieces & nephews, in-laws, & many friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Gene, parents Marie & Charles, sisters Mary Lou Stewart, Joanne (Stewart) Cleveland, & Helen (Stewart) Ihry, and in-laws Bus & Charlotte Alger. We would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Ruthven Community Care Center who have cared for Mom for the past 5 years. They are truly front-line heroes!

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home