Patricia McAlister

Patricia Anne McAlister passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on February 17, 2026. She was born to Milon and Lola Thatcher on March 21, 1927, and raised on the family farm in the close-knit community of Liscomb, Iowa.

Patricia graduated from Liscomb High School where she played 6 on 6 basketball and later played for the Gasoline Alley lady’s team post WW II. Pat would strongly argue that 3 forwards shooting on one half court and 3 guards defending the other was the only way to play women’s basketball. She was known as an aggressive guard stating that she played belly button defense well before use by the final four Drake Bulldogs in 1968. On the driveway playing against her sons, she never admitted to committing a foul, even if blood was drawn and would never give ground to her taller sons. This love of sports built a lifelong interest in sports as she followed the Bobcats, Hawkeyes, Cyclones and Panthers.

Patricia married Howard McAlister on June 5, 1947, at the Little Brown Church in the Vail, after he bravely served in the Navy during WW II on Guam, Okinawa and Saipan. They built a beautiful home together from the ground up, starting with a basement home and adding to the upper level as money and time permitted. Pat lived in that house until she was nearly 99 years old.

Patricia was a masterful homemaker and extraordinary baker whose kitchen always smelled of fresh cookies and pies made with her love. Her home was always immaculate, and her yard was the envy of the neighborhood. Pat was strong-willed and demanded her money's worth from snow and lawncare businesses; willing to fire anyone who didn’t meet her performance expectations.

Pat’s working career included time as a dental assistant, Herman’s department store, Mead’s Dairy ice cream shop, and the Marshalltown Community Schools food service where she served as a union representative and labor advocate.

What many people remember about Pat was her sharp mind and enduring interest in world events well into her later years. She stayed remarkably up to date on current events following national and local news discussing politics and social changes with family and friends. She embraced technology; keeping pace with smartphones, computers, Facebook and Facetime; often surprising everyone with how quickly she learned to stay connected with children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Howard and Pat helped all three children through college-supporting them financially, emotionally and with every bit of encouragement they could give. Pat took pride in seeing them succeed and spoke often how important education was no matter what the sacrifices. Pat was very proud that every one of her grandchildren obtained college degrees, building on her education priority.

Pat was a deeply religious person who was a 78-year member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

A celebration of life service will be held at Mitchell Funeral Home in Marshalltown, IA on Friday, May 15th at 11:00 AM with a family visitation beginning at 10:30 AM.

Pat’s legacy lives through her children: Sandra (Philip), Wertman (Grand Junction. CO), Richard McAlister (Kathy Madison) (Cedar Falls, IA), Michael (Erica) McAlister (San Marcos, TX); six grandchildren: Benjamin (Kelly) McAlister, Nathan (Mollie) Wertman, Seth (Shannon) Wertman, Josh (Andrea) Hammond, Mitchell (Megan) McAlister and Morgan (Brett) Rains, and thirteen great grandchildren: Kate, Sam, Sydney, Carolyn, Aiden, Jaxson, Emma, Connor, Emila, Riley, Carter, Lincoln and Hudson who were lucky enough to know her kindness and grace. She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters (Arlene Meyer, Garnet Rogers and Joyce McCormick), a brother (Milon “Bud” Thatcher), husband (Howard), and daughter in law, Karen Schultz McAlister.