Patricia DeGroat

Patricia "Patsy" DeGroat, 65, Detroit Lakes, died Sunday, February 14 at Ecumen-Emmanuel Nursing Home. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, February 23 at 2PM in David Donehower Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services. Patricia Harloe Gadd was born January 3, 1951 in Matoaka, West Virginia to Leslie and Patricia (Harloe) Gadd. She attended school in Bluefield, West Virginia and also attended the University of Maryland. Growing up, her mother Patricia was a busy school teacher, and Patsy spent a lot of time with her Grandfather, Dr. Weldon Harloe, "Daddy Doc". Patsy was an only child in the home until the age of eight when her brother Robert Merrit was born. She loved caring for her brother and also spent a lot of time immersed in books and drawing. She loved taking the train to go and visit her father and said those trips were some of her favorite childhood memories. When Patsy was 13, her father died suddenly at the age of 39. It was a heartache that she carried the rest of her life. Patsy graduated high school at 17 and was united in marriage to Michael Rushing. To this union, two beautiful daughters were born: Michele Renee and Jennifer Ann. After Patsy finished college, she started working as the manager of ERA and KEOS retirement accounts at a bank in downtown Washington, D.C. On Valentine 's Day in 1986 Patsy was united in marriage to Floyd DeGroat. Patsy and Floyd expanded their family by welcoming Patricia Dawn and Krissy Leigh. It was at this time, Patsy decided to stay home and raise her family. She loved watching her children grow and also found more time to paint, sew and sketch. They moved to McSherrystown, PA in 1990 and happily welcomed two sons: Floyd Tyler and John Harloe. Patsy always dreamed of having sons and was proud to say she had two handsome boys to call her own. Patsy had a beautiful voice and sang often to her children. She taught them music, art and history. She instilled in her children to think freely and deeply and always stand up for what they believed in. We will forever be grateful for the memories she gave us and will miss her warm embrace, beautiful voice and unending smile. Patsy is survived by her husband Floyd of Ogema, children: Michele Tinsley of Clearwater, FL, Jennifer (Ken) Mosher of Fayetteville, PA, Dawn (Mark) Racine of Detroit Lakes, Krissy Leigh (Derick Hukriede) of Detroit Lakes, Floyd Tyler (Heidi Halvorson) of Frazee, John Harloe (Tara Jenson) of Frazee and four step-children: Jesse, Annette, Tina and Floretta. She is also survived by 23 grandchildren and step-grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. In addition she is survived by her siblings: Cy (Donna) Gadd of Bluefield, WV and Lori (Carl) Blevins of Princeton, WV. She is preceded in death by her parents; Leslie Earl Gadd and Patricia Davis and loving step-father Bobby O. Davis. one brother: Robert Davis and a son: Cody.

Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501

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Previous Events

Visitation
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Service
Tuesday, February 23, 2016

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