Pat Van Oort

Christian, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, teacher, friend, giver: such was Pat Van Oort. Her combination of values, titles, and skills led to her changing a multitude of lives for, not the better, but the best—to beam with joy, swell with pride, giggle with laughter. Pat (Shannon) Van Oort, Mrs. V, Nana, Aunt Pat, Mom. Regardless the title of the moment, Pat was Pat—peaceful, impishly witty, intellectually penetrating and aware—all the while absorbed in the lives of whomever she encountered, such as back in the day frequently taking her gaggle of young grandchildren and their friends to Four Queens, CVS, or McDonalds after school. It was all about her students as teacher, her grandchildren as grandmother, her children as mother, her husband as wife, her Savior as Christian. Born in Mason City, Iowa August 11, 1942 to Harriet and Stratton J. Shannon, Pat attended St. Pat’s School, graduated from Cedar Falls in 1960, married Larry Van Oort at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on August 17, 1963. They both graduated from UNI in June 1964. Together, they had three children, Tony, Ann (Brad Remmert), and Stratton (Lindsey Olson) and seven grandchildren: Josie Johnson, Calli (Daniel) Martinson, Katie Remmert, William Remmert, Stratton Joe Van Oort, Andi Page Van Oort, and Cooper Van Oort. Her long-time 5th grade teaching career began in 1964 at Main Street Elementary with many years at Hansen Elementary. Pat became the most creative, innovative, motivating, sharing, fun teacher such that students later returned from junior high to visit and even later inviting her to their high school graduations. They, indeed, were fortunate having her, not just then, but lifelong. They still speak in awe of her magical teaching powers—the struggling were made strong, the strong were made stronger. A consummate player of many roles throughout her life, everyone who knew her was the better for it. Surrounded by her family, such a spectacular life ended September 2, 2023 shortly after celebrating her 60th wedding anniversary—true to God, her husband, children, and friends. She is survived by sisters Jo Ann Laing (James) and Lynn Kimble (Tyon) and brother John Shannon (Amy) along with several nieces and nephews. Services will be held at St. Stephen, the Witness, Catholic Student Center: Visitation and Vigil Service Thursday: 5:30 – 7:30; funeral mass Friday at 10:00 a. m. Memorials may be sent to St. Stephen, the Witness, Church and Cedar Valley Hospice.

Pat Van Oort

August 11, 1942 - September 2, 2023