Pat was born on November 10, 1930, to parents Aloysius and Anastasia (Cloonen) Richtsmeier in Iowa Falls, IA. She attended Catholic grade school in Ackley, IA, before moving to Wesley, IA, when she was eight. Pat graduated from Good Counsel Academy in Mankato, MN. She continued her education at AIB in Des Moines, IA, and studied secretarial training. On August 21, 1954, Pat was united in marriage to Paul Cletus Schmitt at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wesley. This union was blessed with six children: Chuck, Tony, Kathy, Ken, Bill, and Steve. Together they raised their family near Adaza. After a few years, she started to do bookkeeping for the family farm and secretarial work for the Greene County Extension Service.
Pat had many talents and interests. She was a recital piano accompanist, and also won the spelling bee at the Greene County Fair! She liked to quilt, crochet, and travel. Pat and Paul spent many years traveling together across the country and around the world. Some of their favorites were their trips to Australia, and Alaska, and a cruise through the Panama Canal. She even enjoyed doing Mystery Bus Tours. Along with her hobbies, Pat was a member of the Adaza Thursday Club and also a 70-year member of Catholic Daughters of America. Pat was a resident of Cedar Township Greene County starting in 1954 until her move to Shady Oaks in 2023.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children: Chuck (Linda) Schmitt of Lohrville, IA, Tony (Teresa) Schmitt of Urbandale, IA, Ken (Angie) Schmitt of Carroll, IA, Bill (Jan) Schmitt of Alleman, IA, and Steve (Liisa) Schmitt of Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren: Kelly, Brittany, Stacey, Steve, Rosie, Luke, Lydia, Britni, Bryce, Morgan, Devan, Taylor, Erik, Lukas, and Patrik; 12 great-grandchildren: brother Dave Richtsmeier.
Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; daughter, Kathy; parents; and siblings: Alice Baciulis, Fran Engstrom, Jan Bauer, and Bob Richtsmeier.