Patricia (Schmitz) Ripley Bernard

Patricia (Schmitz) Ripley Bernard, 59, passed away May 23, 2017. A Memorial Mass will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, May 27, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in West Des Moines. A memorial visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at McLaren’s Chapel in West Des Moines.

Pat was born June 1, 1957, in Carroll, IA to Paul “Pat” and Betty Schmitz. She graduated from Kuemper High School in 1975 and then went on to receive her associate’s degree from DMACC and later her PHR Certification. Pat retired after 29 years with Des Moines Water Works. In 2013, Pat married the love of her life and shared a trip they will never forget. She enjoyed traveling, gardening, reading, and spending time with her grandchildren. Pat would like to acknowledge all of her friends. She said, “I was a millionaire in terms of friendships.”

Pat is survived by her mother, Betty (Schmitz) Masching; husband, Glenn; daughter, Katie (Ripley) and Tyler DeMaris; son, Nick Ripley (Jordan Tinkle); step-children, Kelsey and Zachary Bernard; grandchildren, Harper, Miles, and Hazel DeMaris and Claire Tinkle; siblings, Jean Haviland, Cathy Olson, Maureen Schmitz, Mary Kay (Dave) Minner, Tom Schmitz, and Connie (Tom) Kirvin; nine nieces and nephews; and one uncle, Andrew F. Schmitz. Pat was preceded in death by her father.

Patty would like everyone to be informed and to be their own advocate for Dense Breast. Legislation was recently signed into law, “Patty’s Bill”. You can find more information at http://densebreast.info.org.

The family requests memorial contributions be sent in memory of Patty Bernard to Breast Cancer Research at Mayo Clinic, Dept. of Development, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905.