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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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Pat Bilsland
PAT BILSLAND
Cedar Rapids
Pat Bilsland, 82, passed away Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, from complications of a recent fall. Services: 1 p.m. Thursday at St. Patrick Catholic Church by the Rev. Ivan Nienhaus. Burial: Mount Calvary Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Teahen Funeral Home and after noon Thursday at the church.
Pat was born March 17, 1934, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Lena and Jerome Spillane. She attended boarding school in South Dakota and spent her summers in Cedar Rapids enjoying the trees and wildlife near her home. She graduated from Mount Mercy High School in 1952. After being employed as a secretary and clerk typist in California, she found her "dream job" as a messenger girl at Quaker Oats Co. This is where she met her future husband, Bill, whom she married May 31, 1958, at St. Patrick Catholic Church by Father Peters.
She stayed home raising her family until both of her kids were in school. In 1971, Pat enrolled in school to become a LPN and passed the state boards with flying colors! In 1973, she started waitressing at Johnny's Parkway to help out her uncle John. Upon retirement in 1996, Pat and Bill enjoyed 12 wonderful years together, traveling and enjoying the timber they both loved. After Bill died in 2008, the year of the flood, she spent her time rebuilding her house and taking care of her yard. She loved holidays and get-togethers at her daughter's house and being with her two granddaughters. Taking the bus with friends to Riverside was a favorite pastime.
Pat is survived by her daughter, Barb (Don) Crane; son, Billy; granddaughters, Amanda and Cheyanne Crane, all of Cedar Rapids; and her sister, JoAnn Whitmer of Arizona.
Her husband; brother, Raymond; uncle, John; and aunt, Gen, preceded her in death.
A special thank-you to Dr. Mary Anne Nelson and staff for all the years of wonderful care. Also to Jeff and Greg who were there for her to the end.
Instead of flowers, memorials may be made in Pat's name to Trees Forever, 770 Seventh Ave. #B, Marion, IA 52302.
We will be thinking of you, Mom, on March 17th when "The whole world celebrates your birthday!"
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