Patricia Leah Sims-Smith

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life”. John 3:16

Patricia Leah Sims-Smith was born February 4, 1942 at Iowa Lutheran Hospital to Robert Parnell Sims and Dorothy Lee Collings. She had one sister, Judith Ann, born in 1943, who she shared a childhood and one sister Trudy Rugge Somrak born (Mary Louise Sims) in 1945 with whom she was united with later in life.

Pat lived in Des Moines and graduated North High School in 1960. She met Gerald Earl Smith (Jerry), when they were teenagers and they were married November 23, 1960. They had three children, Rick, Lisa and Jamie. They divorced after 14 years and Pat stayed true to her Catholic faith and never remarried.

After several years in Ames, during her marriage, and a brief time with her children in Phoenix, AZ, Pat settled back in Des Moines immediately after her mother’s passing in 1974. She worked at Central Tractor for 18 years and then held miscellaneous jobs so she could travel and do what she pleased. She was eventually convinced into working for her daughter, Jamie, and did so for 25 years.

Pat was the quintessential free-spirited soul! She had full confidence that she could do anything and she tried many things, starting with drag racing as a teen! Later, she took up belly dancing (much to her son’s chagrin), she spoke (some) French, went roller blading, could play a mean game of anything and was one tough nut, always unafraid (except for snakes). Although Pat should have been roaming the world doing whatever she saw fit, she was responsible and caring and looked after everyone and that kept her anchored and she fully embraced life’s path and all of the love that flowed from those choices.

The most important thing to Pat was her love of the Lord. She always said we are here for one purpose and that’s to spread the message of our Lord and spread the message she did! If you knew her, you knew she loved HIM and she changed hearts and minds, not by preaching, but by gently sharing God’s love for us all.

The moments Pat lived for were those with her family, especially all of her “babies”. It never mattered how old they were/are, they were still her “babies”. She was present, thoughtful, caring, compassionate and loving and we ALL adored her and always will.

Pat will be missed beyond words. She leaves behind three grieving, but grateful children, Rick (Vicky), Lisa and Jamie (Linda). Five grandsons, Nathan, Ryan, Cole, Ian and Tyler, along with her beloved great grandchildren, Lily, Michael, Hayden, Preston, Odin, Shawna, Avery, Paige and Sebastian. There are too many other family members and friends to count here!

Pat was preceded in death by both of her parents, her sister Judy, and many other cherished family members.

Rest in God’s loving arms, good and faithful servant. Until we meet again.

Pat's funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m., with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, 8201 Hickman Road, Urbandale, Iowa. Burial will follow at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.caldwellparrish.com.