Pat Koets

PAT KOETS was born to Floyd and Nola (Chisum) Wheeler on April 10, 1941 in rural Coolidge, Arizona. As a young girl, she moved with her family to Norwalk, California and attended the local schools. While living in California, she met Eldon Koets, and they were married on April 6, 1959 in Pipestone, Minnesota. Following their marriage, they farmed for a short time in Pipestone County before moving back to California where she enjoyed operating an ice cream truck along with her husband. In the spring of 1961, they returned to Pipestone where Eldon farmed and Pat worked at Fecker’s Produce. In 1978, they started their own trucking business known as KIT Trucking. Pat also drove bus for Ludolph Bus Company for over 13 years. When they moved to Garretson, South Dakota in 1988, they continued the trucking company and eventually operated the business out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Eldon died unexpectedly on December 22, 2000. After his death, Pat continued to live in Garretson. On Thursday, May 23, 2013, she died at her home at the age of 72 years, one month and 13 days.

Pat was known at work as an exceptional baker, and she brought her homemade goodies to share with those at work each day. She had a special love for animals and they, likewise, loved her for the daily treats she would put out for them in her backyard. For many years, she enjoyed bowling on a league. In working hand-in-hand with her husband at the trucking company, she was proud of their accomplishments and the many area groups and organizations they supported.

She is lovingly remembered by her three daughters, Deb Stasny and her husband Mike of Shoreview, Minnesota, Alyce Stifter and her husband Paul of Maplewood, Minnesota, and Sherry Koets of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; two grandchildren, Alec and Rachel Stifter; her stepmother, Ruth Wheeler of Riverside, California; her brother, Billy Wheeler of Oneonta, Alabama; her brother-in-law, Myron Koets and his wife Nancy of Pipestone, Minnesota; her sister-in-law, Judith Zwart of Edgerton, Minnesota; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her brother, Floyd “Glenn” Wheeler; and her sister, Dorothy Thompson.

A private family service will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2013, with burial in New Woodlawn Cemetery, Pipestone. Visitation will be Monday from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Hartquist Funeral Home, Pipestone Chapel followed by a social gathering of family and friends at the Pipestone American Legion.