Patricia Ann Waddell age 92

Patricia “Pat” Ann (Fisher) Waddell, 92, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2026, in Clinton, Iowa, the same town where she was born on April 29, 1934, to Raymond and Dorothy Fisher. On June 12, 1954, she married William “Bill” Woods Waddell, and together they shared over 72 years of marriage.
Pat worked for many years at Eclipse Lumber, Central Steel, and Clausen Warehousing, where she was a dispatcher and was spoiled, deservedly so, by Peter Clausen. In retirement, she and Bill stayed in shape by starting their days early, catching up with friends at local breakfast hangouts and then walking lap after lap at Walmart or Farm & Fleet. Pat greeted everyone she passed and wished them a good day.
Pat was a force of energy, spunk, and love. She never minced words. She told you exactly how she felt, no matter who you were, and that honesty always came with a big heart. She had a style all her own, from her colorful jackets to her love of jewelry, and she treasured her Waterford crystal. Music was always playing around her, especially Michael Bublé, Michael Jackson, and Kenny Chesney, and she loved her big collection of CDs.
Above all, Pat was famous for her fudge cake. She baked one nearly every day, and kids from all over the neighborhood found their way to her kitchen after school for a slice. Years later, the whole family still remembers the excitement of knowing Grandma Pat was on her way with a fudge cake, made, as daughter-in-law Linda put it, “with love.”
Her grandchildren were the joy of her life. Greg and Linda’s girls, Renee, Nicki, and Kim, spent countless hours with her, whether piling into the backseat for weekend shopping trips to Davenport or staying with Grandma while their parents were busy. She spoiled them and almost never told them no. She let them parade around in her heels, pick a treasure from the kitchen junk drawer, and do Sweatin’ to the Oldies in the living room. She taught them to crochet, treated them to name-brand clothes like Renee’s first pair of Nikes, and she and Bill wrapped what seemed like a million presents under the Christmas tree. When the little girls had children of their own, she treasured being a great-grandma, always down on the floor playing with the little ones and savoring every moment with them.
When she and Bill stayed in Texas near Cheri’s family, Addie, Alysse, and Rhett saw them all the time, with weekly trips to the mall, pizza nights, and movies. To all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was one in a million, a grandma who was “full of energy, attitude, spunk and so, so loving,” and who loved each of them wholeheartedly. That love, and that spunk, lives on in all of them.
At the center of it all was Bill. Pat adored him, and for more than 72 years they were inseparable, from early-morning breakfasts with friends to wrapping all those Christmas presents together. When dementia slowly began to take her memories, Bill never left her side. For more than five years, he cared for her around the clock with a patience, tenderness, and devotion that inspired everyone who saw it. Her family is forever grateful for the love, comfort, and dignity he gave her through those years. Theirs was a love that kept every promise they made on June 12, 1954.
Pat is survived by her husband of 72 years, Bill; her son, Cary D. Waddell and wife Jill; her daughter, Cheri L. Ellerbrook-Waddell; and her daughter-in-law, Linda Waddell. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Renee Horner and husband Paul, Nicki Street and husband Ryan, Kim Weaver and husband Ryan, Addie Congdon and husband Max, Alysse Ellerbrook, and Rhett Ellerbrook; and seven great-grandchildren, Ethan Horner, Avery Horner, Mira Horner, JJ Horner, Sloan Weaver, Zane Weaver, and Brenna Weaver. She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Dorothy Fisher, and her son, Greg A. Waddell, in 2020.
A public visitation will be held Tuesday Oct. 27th from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at the Pape Funeral Home, Clinton. A private family service will be held Tuesday at 6:00 PM at the Pape Funeral Home. Burial will be held at St. Irenaeus Calvary Cemetery, Clinton. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com
Memorial contributions may be made to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund (https://curealz.org/?campaign=666449) or the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation (https://www.alzinfo.org/donate/donation_form/).