Patricia Leiseth

1942 - 2024

Patty Leiseth, 81, of Ft. Madison, Iowa, died on Tuesday, August 13 in the care of her family and the staff of the Fort Madison Community Hospital.

Patricia Ann Schutz Leiseth was born in Menomonie, Wisconsin on December 13, 1942 to Dorothy (Husby) and Herb D. Schutz. At the age of four she began playing the piano, something at which she would excel and through which she would delight, inspire and comfort others for most of her life. Patty was also known for her sharp mind and wit, her incomparable puns and recognizable laugh.

Patty's command of the English language manifested in the occasional poems she penned and the "Martha Mutton" column she ghostwrote for a trade journal.

After graduating with honors from Menomonie High School and Macalester College in Minneapolis, she began teaching music in Hopkins, Minnesota. Patty's compassion and commitments to both excellence and innovation were foundations of her 40+ year-long education career.

She taught thousands of students from elementary to college in both Music and English. Patty shared a particular compassion with nerds, outsiders, underdogs and those suffering. Never one to sit still, Patty earned her Master of Education (English) degree from Macalester in 1972.

Her career shifted increasingly to helping teachers teach, motivating Patty to earn a second Masters in Information Media (St. Cloud State University) and a Certificate in Educational Technology (TIES). She retired from Benilde-St. Margaret's High School in 2008.

While recognized with many awards, what mattered to Patty was helping students, teachers and staff.

Patty met the love of her life through a mutual friend in the summer of 1963. Engaged in less than a month, Patty and Keith Leiseth married on June 12 of 1964, forming a devoted and inseparable lifelong partnership. The couple had two children, Kjrsten and Jon.

Patty's dedicated care extended to many people, including family and friends facing challenges of all kinds. In retirement, Patty and Keith continued to enjoy the outdoors (including hunting, with Patty helping spot deer), making music, gardening, the Packers and especially each other.

Patricia is survived by her beloved husband of 60 years, Keith; daughter, Kjrsten (Joel) Bobb of Denmark, Iowa; and son, Jon (Tessa) Leiseth of Moorhead, MN; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and her brother, Tim (Jane) Schutz and their family; along with many other living family, friends and former colleagues and students. She was preceded in death by her parents, many family and friends.

A funeral service will be held at Olson Funeral Home's chapel in Menomonie, Wis. at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 18. Visitation precedes the funeral at 1 p.m. Graveside burial service at Evergreen Cemetery and a light luncheon at Olson Funeral Home to follow.

The family encourages memorials to the Alzheimer's Foundation.

To share a memory, please visit obituaries at olsonfuneral.com.