Patrick Gutwiler

PATRICK "PAT" GUTWILER

Stanwood

Patrick "Pat" Gutwiler, 76, of Stanwood, met his Lord on Tuesday, March 29, 2016, after a battle with acute leukemia. A cele-bration of Pat's life will be held Saturday, April 2, at 10:30 a.m. at Stanwood Union Church, with the Rev. Doc Ranson officiating. Burial will follow at Stanwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at Chapman Funeral Home in Clarence on Friday,

April 1.

Pat was born Aug. 29, 1939, to John "Jack" and Alice (Fleming) Gutwiler Kemp in Dodgeville, Wis. His childhood was spent on the farm and walking 2 miles to country school. Pat's high school days were spent at Sun Prairie High School, where he played football. Pat then struck it out on his own, coming to Iowa to his aunt and uncle.

Scanning the want ads, he came across an ad that a farmer around Mechanicsville was in need of a hired man. Pat was their man. Pat met the love of his life and after their first date, he actually proposed. After six months they became officially engaged in December 1959. On July 2, 1960, Pat married Sharon Bixler at Stanwood Union Church.

Pat continued to work on the farm until the woods and nature called him. He cut and delivered pulp wood to Dubuque. Pat went to work at the former Wilson Foods Co. in Cedar Rapids.

Wisconsin then called him to return to where he was raised and bring his wife and family with him. His love for the land led him to work for a feed and grain business, and later Pat became a painter. While in Wisconsin, his youngest son, Brian, was born. That's when Pat and Sharon declared their family complete. Their two sons, Mike and Brian, were book ends for their three daughters, Linda, Janet and Kathy.

Pat and his family made the decision to accept his in-laws' offer to come back to Iowa and operate the family farm. Pat and his family moved when arrangements were completed. Pat has cared and nurtured the land ever since.

As well as farming, he purchased the Odd Jobber business, which included tree work, painting and helping the high school students with their egg drop contest.

The Lincoln FFA Chapter named Pat an honorary chapter farmer for the help he provided to the chapter when the children were in high school. The Stanwood Volunteer Fire Department also named Pat an honorary fireman for all the help he gave them.

Pat also was a big part of the Stanwood Lions Club. He fried lots of fish for them like none other. Pat became very well known for his barbequed pork loin. Pat put together his own sauce recipe. His popularity grew after barbequing whole hogs for the children's graduation parties starting in 1980. It became apparent he had discovered something that everyone enjoyed.

Pat enjoyed many things during his life, from being with family and friends, farming the land, hunting, fishing, cooking, tug of war and going to the camper in "God's Country." Snowmobiling was a big winter pasttime in his younger years. The faster, the better. He and his brother, Bob, dabbled in racing back in the day. Playing cards was another hobby and challenge with friends and neighbors. Pat also liked to be challenged in a good game of pool. He was a member of the Stanwood Union Church.

Pat is survived by his wife of 55 1/2 years, Sharon; sons, Mike (Rhonda) of Stanwood and Brian of Holcombe, Wis.; daughters, Linda (Dennis) Coppess of Mechanicsville, Janet of Olin and Kathy (Buck) Kelley of Belton, Texas; nine grandchildren, Danny Coppess, Brad (Katie) Coppess, Jonny (Tammy) Gutwiler, Jessy Gutwiler, Rachel Gutwiler, Cody (Jessie) Kelley, Jared Kelley, Tessa (Travis) Kron and Tonya (Tom) Kyermek; 16 great-grandchildren; sisters, Marge Purcell of Madison, Wis., and Donette Nye of Broadhead, Wis.; brothers, Bob (Patti) of Arena, Wis., and John (Bobbi) of Hazel Green, Wis.; brother-in-law, David Bixler of Coralville; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Betty Smith; and niece, Amy Gutwiler.