Patricia Dentel

Patricia “Patty” Dentel, 63, of West Des Moines, was born May 17, 1962, and passed away peacefully on December 17, 2025, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.

Patty grew up in a large Catholic family with five siblings in Indianola, Iowa. Swimming and cheerleading were central to her youth. She worked as a lifeguard and taught swim lessons at the local pool. In high school, she was captain of both the football and wrestling cheerleading teams.

She attended the University of Northern Iowa, where she was a member of the UNI Synchronized Swim Team. Patty studied Family & Consumer Science and was honored as Outstanding Family & Consumer Science Student of the Year.

After graduation, Patty began her teaching career at HLV Community School in Victor, Iowa, where she taught Family & Consumer Science, Talented & Gifted, and served as Cheerleading Coach. She was named Iowa State Cheerleading Coach of the Year and Midwest Cheerleading Coach of the Year for her role in helping to establish the Iowa State Cheerleading Association.

Patty married Robert J. Dentel, with whom she shared 36 wonderful years. Together they raised three children and welcomed one granddaughter. She retired in 2017 and enjoyed traveling the world, visiting Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Great Britain, Italy, and Canada. In 2018, Patty and Bob moved to West Des Moines, spending winters in Arizona and Colorado.

Patty is survived by her husband Bob; daughter Abbey (Dustin) Deppe and granddaughter Olivia; son Jon (Catherine) Dentel; and daughter Katie Dentel. She was preceded in death by her parents, John William Babcock and Rosemary Babcock.

Funeral Mass will be held on December 22, 2025, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by the Mass at 11:00 a.m.