Patricia (Pat) Brady Lersten, age 83 of Ames, Iowa, passed away Sunday, September 29, 2019 at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames. A visitation with the family will take place on Friday, October 4, 2019 at Stevens Memorial Chapel (607 28th St., Ames, IA 50010) from 5 to 7 pm. A memorial mass will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church (2900 Hoover Ave., Ames, IA 50010). Burial will follow services in the Ames Municipal Cemetery.
Pat was born on August 11, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois to Lawrence and Thyra (Flook) Brady. Pat was the youngest of 4 children and attended Catholic Schools K-12 and attended business school following graduation. She then held several secretarial positions in Chicago, most notably as an assistant to the Director of Advertising and Special Events at the famous Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.
In February 1955 at a Chicago ballroom, a young man named Nels Lersten stepped on Pat’s toes as he pursued another girl – embarrassed, he asked Pat to dance instead. He drove her home that night and dated her again and again, until they were married on June 14, 1958.
As her husband progressed through his academic studies, Pat and Nels started a family. Soon, Sam, Andrew and Julie were born in the states of Illinois, California and Iowa. Raising the 3 children became Pat’s primary focus. She did find time for many volunteer efforts, women’s bowling league, Birthright and the ISU faculty women’s club. As the kids grew older, she did work part-time for several years as a secretary at ISU in the Textiles and Clothing Department.
One of Pat’s lifetime passions was music. She taught piano for over 15 years to many students in the Ames area. She held unique and fun student piano parties and had them play at area retirement homes and the North Grand Mall.
Pat is survived by her husband, Nels; sons, Sam (Julie) of West Des Moines, IA, Andrew (Jennifer) of South Haven, MI, Daughter; Julie (Bill) Corley of Folsom, CA. They have 5 grandchildren, Michael, Melissa and Molly Lersten and Elisabeth and Abby Corley. Pat was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Father Gordon Brady, sisters Margaret Devore and Mary George.
Memorial contributions can be made in Pat’s name to the American Diabetes Association (2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22202).
