Patricia L. Leyendecker

Pat Leyendecker was born on December 3, 1950, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Art and Jean Nevey. Pat passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 18, 2026. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, August 28, 2026 at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. Her final resting place will be at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines.

Pat was the middle of three daughters and grew up in Omaha, where she graduated from Benson High School in 1968. She met Chuck Leyendecker on a blind date and after dating for a year, they were married on August 9, 1969, at St. Thomas More Church in Omaha. Their wedding was celebrated with a long procession of American muscle cars—a fitting reflection of their shared love of cars and adventure.

Early in their marriage, Pat and Chuck spent six months living in Washington State while Chuck was on active duty in the Navy. When he was deployed overseas, Pat returned to Omaha. After his active duty ended, they settled into their first home together in Omaha and began building the life they would share for more than five decades.

Their love of travel and adventure started early. In 1974, just one year after Disney World opened, Pat and Chuck drove their 1973 Toyota pickup all the way to Florida to experience it for themselves. Their next adventure came in the form of a 1974 Ford van, which they customized themselves. Pat put her incredible sewing skills to work, creating much of the van's interior, along with a unique piece of string art. Their custom van was even featured in a magazine. The van eventually led them to join a van club, and weekends were often spent traveling around the country with other members. Pat especially enjoyed being behind the wheel and seeing where the road would take them.

In 1977, Pat and Chuck welcomed their son, Tyson. Pat loved being a mom and was always there to support him. She enjoyed taking him to practices and school events and sharing the everyday moments that became some of their most treasured memories. At Christmas, Pat and Tyson especially enjoyed baking cookies together and decorating the house.

Pat was an accomplished seamstress and had an incredible talent for creating things with her own hands. She sewed custom clothes for her son, Tyson, that were the envy of the neighborhood kids. She also loved having fun with her creativity. In 1976, for a truck-in celebrating the bicentennial of the United States, Pat and Chuck dressed as George and Martha Washington—complete with costumes Pat made herself.

Pat worked at the Federal Reserve Bank in Omaha for 33 years. She was hardworking, dependable, and dedicated to her career, but her family, friends, and dogs were always at the heart of her life. Dogs had always been part of the household, but in the 1980s, Pat got her first Sheltie. At first, Chuck thought he would train the dog himself. That plan didn't last long. Pat decided she would take over—and that decision began a passion that would become a major part of her life for more than three decades. Pat became deeply involved in obedience training. She loved training and showing her own dogs and, just as importantly, helping other people train theirs. She belonged to several kennel clubs in the Omaha and Council Bluffs area and served as an obedience show chair for numerous competitions. Through the years, she built friendships and a community around something she truly loved.

Those who knew Pat will remember so many things about her: her easy laugh, her warm smile, her creativity, her determination, and her willingness to help. She had a way of making people feel comfortable and welcome. She was feisty and wasn't afraid to speak up when she saw something that wasn't right, but she also had an enormous heart and loved her family, especially her grandchildren, unconditionally.

In 2013, Pat and Chuck moved to Adel, Iowa, to be closer to Tyson, his wife, Katie, and their grandchildren. Being closer to family gave Pat even more opportunities to be involved in the lives of the people she loved most. She cherished her time with her grandchildren, Charlie, Max, and Oscar. In 2018, the entire family traveled together to Disney World, bringing her story full circle and creating another special family memory in a place she and Chuck had visited together so many years before.

Pat is survived by her husband of 57 years, Chuck; son, Tyson (Katie) of West Des Moines; grandchildren, Charlie, Max, and Oscar; sister, Deb Nevey; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Art and Jean Nevey and her sister, Shari Benish.

Pat lived a life filled with family, adventure, creativity, dogs, travel, laughter, and love. She gave generously of herself to the people and animals around her, and she leaves behind a lifetime of memories that will continue to bring smiles, laughter, and comfort to those who knew and loved her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family for a fund that will be used to honor Pat’s memory.