Patricia Keyser

Patricia Fraser Keyser, 91, of Marshalltown, died Wednesday, July 22, 2009, at Oakview Nursing Home in Conrad with her daughter Bonnie by her side. There will be a family memorial at a later date, and there will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions are directed to the First Congregational Church or a local charity of your choice. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com . The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Patricia and her family.Patricia was born March 13th, 1918, to Col. John W. Fraser and Marion S. McQuillin at Vancouver Barracks in Vancouver, Washington. She grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, attending Mary Institute and graduating at the age of 16. She received her B.A. in sociology from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. where she also met her husband, Earl Lennox Keyser. The couple married June 20th, 1942, in St. Louis, Missouri and moved to Marshalltown in 1946 after Earl returned from serving in WWII.Patsy was the ultimate volunteer and was named Governor Branstads Volunteer of the Year, the Iowa Medical Societys Volunteer of the Year, and the YWCAs Volunteer of the Year. She was an active member of the First Congregational Church and a 50-year member of PEO and as Chapter Lieutenant. She served on many community boards in her lifetime. Patsy will be dearly missed by her children, Earl ( Chris) Lennox Keyser Jr. of Fairfield, Iowa, Carol (George) Keyser Burnside of Montgomery, Alabama, Thomas Taylor Keyser of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and Bonnie Keyser Thurston of Marshalltown, Iowa; her seven grandchildren, Adrian (Megan) Keyser, Amy Keyser, Sean Burnside, Adam( Melinda) Thurston, Ben Thurston, Nathan Thurston, and Thomas Thurston.Patsy was preceded in death by her parents, Col. John W. Fraser and Marion S. McQuillin, her husband Dr. Earl Lennox Keyser, and her brother, John W. Fraser II.