Patsy Carole Vande Kamp

Our loving mom, Patsy Vande Kamp, peacefully passed away on December 10, 2023, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s. She was surrounded by the most important thing in her life, her family. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00am on Friday, December 15, 2023, at the Pleasantville Memorial Hall (lower level). The short service will be followed by a luncheon.

Born in Knoxville, IA in 1945 to Clarence and Cleo Salsberry, Patsy was just shy of her 79th birthday. She graduated from Knoxville High School with the class of 1963. Her first job was working at the bowling alley in Knoxville but spent much of her career cleaning houses for people who became some of her closest friends. She also had a passion for caring for the elderly.

In May of 1963, she met the love of her life, Larry G. Vande Kamp, at the A&W Root Beer hangout. Although she did not really like him and it was not love at first sight for her, he was persistent, and she married him three short months later, on August 17, 1963. In August of 2023, we helped our parents celebrate 60 years of marriage at Accura of Pleasantville Nursing Home, where mom had been a resident since April of 2021. It was a fitting place for her to return to as she had worked there years ago and taken care of many residents whom she cherished. Some nursing staff shared with us what an amazing love story they were able to witness between our parents. Even as she was close to death, she still responded to his kisses. 

Along with our dad, the three of us, Todd (Connie) Vande Kamp, Tammie (Steve) Behlers, and Trudy Vande Kamp are left to cherish her memory. In addition are our five children who lovingly called her grandma, Cameron (Nikki) Vande Kamp, Mackenzie (Rachel) Van Zante, Mitchell Van Zante, Jordan (Brody) Van Berkum, and Megan Van Zante. Although she was not able to get to know them all, she always perked up when her seven great grandchildren - Jett, Hayden, Addison, Emersyn, Lincoln, Lucas, and Landon would visit her. 

In addition to loving to sing and dance, our mom was known for being a phenomenal cook. Many of our cousins would show up on Sundays for her fried chicken and mashed potatoes while her grandchildren always requested chicken and dumplings. At her favorite time of year, Christmas, she would spend hours making various Christmas candies. As soon as Christmas had passed, she and dad would take off to Florida, and then return to spend her summers gardening and canning. Although it was sometimes embarrassing to us, Mom never met a baby or dog that she did not like. No matter where we were, she had to stop and talk to every single one with whom we came into contact.

Meeting her in Heaven, are her parents Clarence and Cleo Salsberry, her in-laws Glen and Bernita Vande Kamp, her siblings Gene Salsberry, Norma (Norman) Koons, Claudine (Joe) Komarek, Eddie (Judy) Salsberry, Donna (Leo) Sickler, Larry Salsberry who died as an infant, as well as many other special friends and family. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family to be used towards a cause special to Patsy.