Rev. Patricia Adams Oberbillig

1943 - 2018

Rev. Patricia Adams Oberbillig

Des Moines - A wonderful life can be defined in many ways. For Patricia Ann Adams Oberbillig, it was by the depth of her relationships with her loving husband, family, and friends and the positive impact she made through her ministry. Pat was a wife, mom, grandmommy, sister, aunt, friend, pastor, and more. She lived a life knowing that love has no end and that God loves every child in God's world. She died at home in Des Moines on October 2, 2018 after a five-month struggle with Glioblastoma.

Patricia (Trisha) was born in Akron, Ohio on August 30, 1943, to Maggie Bell Hargrove Adams and Jim F. Adams. She was the tenth of eleven children. She lived in Cadiz, Kentucky, during her younger childhood. She returned to Akron during elementary school and graduated from South High School in 1961. Pat married young and had two children. The family eventually settled in Des Moines in 1974 after short stints in Ohio, Michigan, and Kentucky.

Pat focused on raising her children for several years but eventually knew that she was called to be in ministry. She attended Drake University and received her Bachelor's degree in 1982 (summa cum laude). Pat travelled to Kansas City, Missouri each week for three years to earn her Master of Divinity (MDiv) at Saint Paul School of Theology and was ordained into ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1985.

Pat's ministry in the central Iowa area spanned more than three decades. She served as chaplain at Ramsey Home from 1983 to 1994. She was a chaplain at Hospice of Central Iowa and pastor at Runnells Christian Church from 1994 - 1999. She served Plymouth Congregational Church in Des Moines as the Minister of Pastoral Care beginning in 1999 and retired in 2008. Pat never really retired as she continued her ministry through Iles Funeral Homes as the Community Education Director.

She was active in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) regional ministry serving on the Commission on Ministry from 2006 - 2016, including four years as Chair of the Ordination Unit. She was a leading voice in the Upper Midwest region's decision in 2008 to allow people who are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender to serve openly in ministry.

Pat's love of music, and particularly singing, was central in her life. Her beautiful, clear soprano voice was a gift to all. Over the years, she shared her voice in church choirs, community ensembles, and performances at the Des Moines Playhouse, including Desiree in "A Little Night Music." Her voice and the many solos she shared are cherished memories for family and friends. Amazing Grace, O Holy Night, and especially The Lord's Prayer will always be heard by many in Pat's soaring voice.

Pat married Robert Oberbillig on September 18, 1999. They shared 19 wonderful years together. They loved cheering for the Cubbies, the Des Moines Symphony, the Des Moines Metro Opera, traveling the world, enjoying good food and wine, and most especially spending time with their large family and many friends.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents and five siblings, Virginia Martin, Mallie Morris, Jimmie Woody, Ben Adams, and Mary Marmaduke. Four of Pat's siblings remain in the greater Akron area including Clara Carr, Bobby Adams (Pat), Norma Swank (Ronnie), and Carolyn Harrison (Don). Her brother Bill Adams (Sandy) lives in England.

Pat's greatest joy was her family. In addition to her beloved husband, Bob, she loved and was very proud of her children, Kent Ryan of Cedar Rapids (Halli Sanford-Ryan) and Connie Ryan of Des Moines.

She spent endless hours with her grandchildren when they were growing up, entertaining them with adventures and games. Kirk Ryan (Katie) of Iowa City, William Ryan (Hannah) of Columbia, Missouri, Michael Terrell (Heidi) of Des Moines, and Emma Terrell of Chicago, adore and love their Grandmommy and will miss her deeply. Pat also included as family her step-grandson Joe Terrell of Ventura, CA. In recent years, she was thrilled to become Great Grandmommy to Henry and Julia and to play games on the floor with the next generation. She also loved her many nieces and nephews on all sides of her big family.

When Bob and Pat married in 1999, Pat welcomed Bob's family as her own including Bob's brother, Don Oberbillig (Jenny) of Crystal Lake, IL, and Bob's children Robert Oberbillig (Suzanne) of Phoenix, AZ, Lynn Oberbillig of Hatfield, MA and her lifetime friend, Maureen Burris, and Ann Williams (Howard) of Des Moines, their grandchildren Chip (Katie), Jay, and Sean Williams and Jessica, Megan, and Nicole Oberbillig, and four great grandchildren Nash, Ellis, Hayden, and Eve Williams.

And so, it was a wonderful life. Pat lived it surrounded by family and friends, faith, a commitment to make the world better, and lots of joy and laughter. And, in fact, the world was better because of her.

In addition, the family appreciates the loving care provided by Dr. Thomas Buroker and Hospice of Central Iowa.

The family will welcome friends at a visitation to be held Friday, October 12 from 4:30 - 7 pm at Iles Funeral Homes - Dunn's Chapel, 2121 Grand Ave, Des Moines. A service celebrating the life of Patricia Adams Oberbillig will be held 10 am Saturday, October 13 at First Christian Church, 2500 University Ave, Des Moines.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, First Christian Church (Des Moines), Plymouth Congregational Church (Des Moines) or the Des Moines Symphony to honor her life and ministry.