Patsy M. Lathrum

Patsy Merle (Noel) Lathrum, daughter of Ralph Raymond Noel and Louise Juanita McCartt, was born on August 1, 1931, in Trenton, Missouri and passed from this life on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at Norwalk, Iowa at the age of 94.

Pat graduated from Seymour High School in 1948, where she was a member of the 1947 state champion basketball team. Upon high school graduation, she continued to play basketball while attending the American Institute of Commerce (AIC) in Davenport, and was then employed by International Harvester in East Moline. Her love for basketball never faded, and she spent decades cheering on her children and grandchildren.

On July 14, 1951, Pat married Johnnie Laverne Lathrum in Ozark, Alabama, where Johnnie was stationed for military service. Their marriage was blessed with four children, Johnnie Stephen, Terri, Marcia and Michael. Johnnie and Pat made their home near St. Charles, where she served as secretary at St. Charles Elementary School and was a member of St. Charles Parish. She was also a passionate member of the Pumper Truck Committee, dedicating countless hours and weekends cooking and serving meals to fund a new fire truck. Specialties from her kitchen included the best beef and noodles, cinnamon rolls, homemade bread, caramels, pecan pie, red velvet cake, mushrooms and cheeseburgers. No one will be able to make them quite the same-she was notorious for not sharing the "real" recipes!

Pat and Johnnie spent nearly 60 years living the farm life in Hanley. For over 40 years, they vacationed in the Ozarks with extended family and friends, mostly at Table Rock Lake. Although she disliked water, Pat would ride in the boat to breakfast or go to the dock to watch skiers and give a proud wave, but always with a life jacket cinched tightly.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Johnnie, daughter Terri, son Michael, sister Martha Lambert, and brothers Robert Donelson, Ralph Noel and Clifford Collins.

Pat is survived by two children, Steve Lathrum (Sandi) and Marcia Knutson (Bob) of St. Charles; grandchildren Kari Dawson (Jeff), Rich Lathrum (Caity), Ben Knutson (Jessica), Kelsey Ritchey (Matt), Katelyn Van Dyke (Caleb), Ashley Lathrum, Jennifer Walters (Casey), and Cassi Walker (Nate); 17 great-grandchildren, and brother Jack Foreman (Carolyn), as well as many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at the St. Charles Parish, Saturday March 21, 2026 at 11:00 am with Pastor Darin Feikema officiating.

Patsy's family will greet friends 9:30 am to 10:45 am Saturday, March 21st at the St. Charles Parish prior to the services.

A live stream of the service will be available at www.kalefuneralhome.com on Patsy's tribute wall beginning at 11:00 am, Saturday.

Memorials to St. Charles Parish, 305 W. Main, St. Charles, IA 50240 or Pink Tractor Foundation, 3845 G50 Highway, St. Charles, Iowa 50240

Interment will be in the St. Charles Cemetery