Patricia Ann "Patty" Stremsterfer

Patricia "Patty" Ann Stremsterfer, 93, of Pleasant Plains, IL entered into her heavenly home on February 23, 2025.
She was born January 23, 1932, in Springfield, the older daughter of Harry and Ruth (Fetzer) Hartmann. She married Harold Stremsterfer on December 2, 1951, in Pleasant Plains and he preceded her in death on June 21, 2017.
Patty graduated as Valedictorian in 1950 from Pleasant Plains High School. Upon graduation, she worked for Franklin Life Insurance until her marriage. Her employments included Hartmann's Grocery Store (her parents' business) and So-Fro Fabrics and Richland Elevator. These were her part time and seasonal jobs. Her full-time job was a farmer's wife; which included grain hauling, bookkeeping, accommodating corn customer, walking beans, errands for implement parts and being Harold (Strem's) right-handed woman. She attended (70 Years) and had been a member of the Peter Cartwright United Methodist Church until she worshipped at Richland Creek Baptist Church in rural Pleasant Plains. Community involvement was a vital point of her character as she volunteered for over 40 years at Memorial Medical Center (first with the gift cart and later the cardiac waiting room receptionist). Based on her devotion to Memorial Hospital's volunteer program, she was awarded the 2017 Distinguished Volunteer Award and the 2018 Good as Gold Award. She also was a member of the Pleasant Plains Community Club for more than 40 years. Twice a month she gave manicures at Walker Nursing Home in Virginia. There she enjoyed reminiscing and enjoying the company of the residents. She shared her sewing knowledge (learned in 4-H) by teaching children at the local library and she also served as an election judge. She was honored as the Parade Marshal for the PPHS Homecoming in 2017. She treasured her abundance of friends. Her hobbies included sewing, handiwork, baking, bowling, golf, and traveling.
She is survived by two of her three children, Ann (Greg) Reiterman of Virginia and their five children, Ken Reiterman of Champaign, Jennifer (Kevin) Knoop of Pleasant Plains, and Katrina, Shane, and Justin Reiterman, all of Springfield; son, Norman (Michele) Stremsterfer of Pleasant Plains and their five children, Lee (Stacy) Stremsterfer of Pleasant Plains, Lindi (Scott) Kocher of Kirklin, IN, Travis (Mary) Stremsterfer, Bridget Stremsterfer of Pleasant Plains, and Wade (Elly) Stremsterfer of Fairfield, IA. Patty is also survived by June's children, Brian (Stephanie) Hays of Brimfield, Geoffrey Hays of Washington, IL, and Tracy (Matt) Simpkins of Eureka; and Pat's daughter, Mandi (Chris) Elder of Silvis. She leaves behind fourteen grandchildren, many great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Patty was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her youngest child, June and her husband, Pat McDonough; and her sister, Mary Kay Schmidt.
Private graveside services will be held at the Pleasant Plains Cemetery with a visitation and a meal to follow at the Pleasant Plains Community Building on March 9, 2025, from 2:00 – 5:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to the Hartmann/Stremsterfer Scholarship fund at West Central Bank, a 4-H Foundation Scholarship Fund. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of the arrangements.