Obituary of Patricia Ann Papenheim

Pat Papenheim, 81 of Kansas CIty, MO, died following a brief illness at Lake Regional Hospital, Osage Beach, MO, August 21, 2023.  She was born in Harlan, Iowa, the daughter of James and Lucille (McBride) Tryon.  She was a graduate of Irwin High School, Northwest MIssouri State University and University of Northern Colorado.  Pat was married to Merlin Edward Papenheim on June 3, 1967. Their 31 year union was spent raising  2 daughters, sharing family vacations and attending countless sports events, recitals and church activities in Des Moines. 

Pat was a Family and Consumer Science teacher at Anita High School, and Des Moines Public Schools spending the majority of her career at her beloved Amos Hiatt Middle School.  She was a member of the Des Moines Education Association, Iowa State Education Association and National Education Association and was a Polk County Democrat volunteer.  In retirement, she enjoyed part-time work at the Des Moines Civic Center and volunteering for New Hope United Methodist Church, Mercy Hospital, Start Making A Reader Today, and Planned Parenthood book sale.  She was an active member of Ssenipah, a widow’s group, avid card and game player and a world traveler.  A highlight of her retirement years was wintering in South Padre Island, Texas.  She moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 2021 to be near family.

Preceding her in death were her parents and husband.  She is survived by two daughters, Laurie Schulte, Kansas City, MO and Jill Papenheim, Eugene, OR; five treasured grandchildren, Abigail Schulte, Truman Schulte, Quinn Schulte, Baileigh Morris, and Jackson Morris, two siblings, Luella Bartleson, Anita, Iowa and Jim Tryon Aurora, Colorado.

Funeral services will be held at New Hope United Methodist Church on Thursday, August 31, 2023.  Visitation at 9:30 am, funeral service at 10:30 am with lunch to follow.  Interment to be held at 2 pm at Chapel Hill Gardens Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Glaucoma Foundation or Planned Parenthood.  Deliveries to the church are requested to arrive Aug. 30 in the evening or before services on Aug. 31.