Patricia Griffin

Patricia Ann Griffin, 86, of Charles City, passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 11th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City.

A celebration of life will be held at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home in Charles City from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 30, 2026, with a supper following at Dave's Restaurant.

Patricia Ann (VanNest) Griffin, the daughter of Hal E. VanNest and Alberta M. (McAllister) VanNest, was born March 17th, 1939, in Dubuque, Iowa, where she was raised and graduated from Dubuque High School in 1957. Her family then moved to Cedar Rapids, where she met her future husband, Neil K. Griffin. They were married in 1962 and had two children: son, Matthew K. Griffin and daughter, Amy M. (Griffin) Lines. The couple later divorced in 1980.

Patricia was always ahead of the times, instead of taking a full music and violin scholarship to Loras College in Dubuque, she opted to go into computers as an IBM Operator for Sanitary Farm Dairy and Cryovac Corporation. In 1966, she moved to Charles City, building a house at 1805 Missouri Ave, the tornado of 1968 took the home and they had to rebuild. Pat worked at Floyd County Memorial Hospital for two years, until she found her true passion in 1972, working with Children in C.R.D. (Community Resource Development Program). In 1975, she became the Aquatic Coordinator at the YMCA. In 1985, she went to Comprehensive Systems Inc. as the Volunteer Coordinator, in 1989 she returned to the YMCA as Program Director. She then went onto retirement, adding another 10 years at Hy-Vee in Charles City. Patricia always had two jobs, working at Robert's clothes, Hallmark, and Duffys.

Patricia always had a smile on her face regardless of what was going on around her. She made sure to brighten people's day with a quick laugh or a funny story, her love of music and dancing made her quite the social butterfly, welcoming people with open arms and a gentle heart whether she knew you for 20 years or two seconds, she always made sure to help people, lending a hand anyway possible. Love of family always came first, spending time with children and grandchildren.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children: Mattew (Calsey) Griffin of Algona and Amy (Brian) Lines of Marble Rock; grandchildren: Sean (Shannon) Griffin of Charles City, Bryan Griffin of Charles City, Scott (Cassandra Rule) Griffin of Nashua, Ethan (Autumn Peihl) Lines of Marble Rock, Ashely (Dakota Veal) Lines of Greene, and Sterling and Neil Griffin of Algona; great-grandchildren: Myles, DaShawn, Landon, Aaliyah, Rosie, Carter, Jay, Lilly, River, and baby Raven; sister, Sandra (VanNest) Giegerich of Sebring, Florida; sisters-in-law, Jaice Jackson, Mara (Chris) Nissen, Lisa Griffin, and Dawn (Gordon) Gardner all of Maquoketa, Iowa; along with many nieces and nephews.

Those she is joining in eternal peace include her parents, Hal and Alberta VanNest; brother, Hal Jr. (Sonny) VanNest; brother-in-law, Roger Giegerich; and grandson, Everette Griffin. Along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family would like to thank everyone who helped take care of Patricia at 11th Street Chautauqua, the nurses who held her hand, and gave her love when we weren't able to. The care of Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, thank you for the care and respect you have shown us and Patricia.