Patricia Ruth Deardorff departed this life for glory at her home in Canby, Calif., on Jan. 28, 2022. She was born Dec. 15, 1939, in Polo, to Frank and Lucile (Wade) Wales and grew up in Polo. She excelled musically while a student at Polo Community High School and graduated from PCHS in 1957. While a student at Manchester College in Indiana, she met Donald Lewis Deardorff. They were married June 27, 1959. She earned her PHTS (Put Hubby Through School) degree in 1968.
Pat was a homemaker. She raised six children, taught school, enjoyed making cheese, yogurt, and soap. She also enjoyed sewing clothes and creating beautiful quilts for her family. She was a medical record technician at the Canby Family Practice Clinic for 16 years and was an avid second-hand store shopper, which led to her leadership in opening the Treasure Tree Thrift Store in Canby five years ago. This was one of the highlights of her life. She loved caring for her customers and staff. One of her customers said, “Pat sold life insurance with the hope and faith she shared.” Pat was a woman who loved the Lord and a woman of prayer who sought to love and give to others. Her faith carried her through many difficult storms of life.
Pat is survived by her husband, Don, of Canby, Calif. She is also survived by three sisters, Evelyn Bowman, Helen Wales, and Joyce Person; one sister-in-law, Adrienne Hiatt. Her children survive her: Lorna (Bill) Boland, Brenda (David) Pacy, Amos (Angelika) Deardorff, David (Sharon) Deardorff, Anita (James) Babcock, and Karen Deardorff; as well as, ten grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Lucile Wales; grandson, David Lewis Deardorff; brother-in-law and sister, Robert and Betty (Wales) Capling; brother-in-law and sister, David and Margaret (Wales) Brown; brother-in-law, Wilbur Bowman; brother-in-law, Richard Person; foster brother, John Hiatt.
Services will be held Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022 at 10 a.m. at the I’SOT Community, Canby, Calif. In lieu of flowers or memorials, please take a moment to be kind to someone in honor of Pat.
