Patricia "Pat" M. Sirfus

Patricia "Pat" M. Sirfus, 93, passed away at her home on July 8, 2025.

Patricia was born on December 14, 1931, in Des Moines to Warren and Hazel Bird.

She was the oldest of five children. She grew up on the south side of Des Moines, where she and her husband, Richard, were married for 61 years. They happily stayed on the south side and raised their two daughters, Kathy Jo and Candice Lee. Patty graduated from Lincoln High School, where the Bird flock was well known. Patty was always ahead of her time, went on to be successful, and succeeded where few women of her time did. From helping her father in his business, to owning her own business, to being the first female sales agent for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa, retiring as manager, and managing her own sales agents. Patty retired after almost thirty years. She was a mentor to many and always available to help when needed.

But Patty’s number one priority and love were her family. She took her role as the oldest sibling to new levels. Her parents taught her what responsibility, loyalty, faith, tradition, and love truly meant.

She and Richard may have disagreed on a few things like… who drives, who writes the checks, who mows, why eating pizza is good for you two nights a week, (sometimes more) and why there is no such thing as being a little diabetic! and that cherry juice really is an Excelsior of the gods!... Not to mention that a visit to “Snookies” Ice cream was never off the table, “diabetic” or not!

Adult children became an afterthought once grandchildren started arriving. Five in the first batch, nine in the second round!

Not one of them ever was unnoted, ignored, or neglected… parental approval, discipline, and parental rights, quickly disappeared, all knew who was in control… GRANDMA!

Grandpa was no help, the accomplice that he was… just smiled, shook his head, and tossed them the boat keys!

Mom gave us all an enchanted, wonderful life. One that is not easily duplicated.

As her children, we learned the same values that she learned from her parents… responsibly, loyalty, faith, tradition, love of family, and each other. Mom’s door and arms were always an open safe harbor… and we all used that harbor, sometimes more than once. Never questioned, never judged, just hugged and tucked in… with, "We can talk in the morning.”

We will miss Mom… we loved Mom… but she always found a way to love us more.

Mom is survived by her family, Kathy Jo and Bruce Spurlock; Candice Sirfus; Joshua, Angie, and Haylee Shaffer; Andrew, Angie, and Hunter Dale; Sarah, Sam, Avery, Raegan, and Tatum White; Amanda, Nick, and Priscilla Speck; Julie Anna, Scott, Warren, and Katherine Theis; And her two angel caregivers, Cynthia Hagman and Lisa Marsh.

Mom is preceded in the hereafter by parents, Hazel and Warren Bird; Infant Daughter, Vickie Sue; Husband, Richard Sirfus; Brothers, James and William Bird; Sisters, Shirley Mason and Beverly Kaili; and her beloved Granddaughter, Hanna Shaffer.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, or Wesley Hospice.

The family will greet friends Monday, July 14, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with the funeral service to follow at 12:00 p.m. at Hamilton's Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street. For those unable to attend in person, the family invites you to join them virtually through the link in her obituary found on Hamilton’s website.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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