Patricia "Pat" Louise Hynes

Patricia Louise Hynes, daughter of Ambrose and Julia (Daly) Kirschbaum, was born on March 15th, 1939 in Emmetsburg, Iowa. Her childhood years were spent in Ayrshire where she attended Sacred Heart School through 8th grade and graduated from Ayrshire High School in 1957. She then got her AA in Elementary Education from Emmetsburg Junior College.

Pat married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Jim, on June 20th, 1959 and together raised three children. She was a stay-at-home mom until the kids were all in school and then she substitute taught. Pat then worked at K-Mart in Spencer as the jewelry manager for 23 years until her retirement in 1999. After her retirement she worked for American Greetings, volunteered with Spencer Hospital Auxiliary, and devoted time to Sacred Heart Parish by helping with funerals, cleaning the altar and sacristy, greeting, and being a prayer listener.

Pat loved making memories with her family. She travelled often, going on cruises and enjoying vacations with Jim through FS. She attended every sporting event, school concert, and play of her grandchildren she could, always representing their school or team on her sweatshirt! While cooking was never her strong suit, she made a mean breakfast casserole and always offered to bring baked beans to the party. She did enjoy baking cookies, always splitting the dough in half, chocolate chips for her and raisins for Jim.

There were few things Pat loved more than a Hawkeye win, Notre Dame touchdown, Dodger homerun, or spending time with her grandkids. Except dark chocolate. She was always up for a good piece of fudge, a truffle, or Hershey's kiss. Pat's family all have memories of her sitting in her kitchen for a breakfast of Oreos, a Coke, and a cigarette. She rarely said no to a game of cards, a walk with her grandkids, a garden tomato, or green onions or watermelon sprinkled with salt. She was often heard singing songs to her children and grandchildren and passing down the catchy tunes including “She’s a Grand Ole Flag”, “I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts”, “North to Alaska” and “Froggy went a Courtin’”. Pat always loved a trip to the casino, whether it be while on a cruise, going to Jackpot Junction with Jim or when the care center took her to the Wild Rose, she loved it all!

Pat passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and devoted husband on September 15th, 2025. She was preceded in death by her son Mike, son-in-law Greg Marquette, sister Ann Adams, sister-in-law Bev Goodchild, brothers-in-law Billy Lowe and Ghervy Goodchild, nephews Jay Adams, Kent Goodchild, and Koy Goodchild.

Left to cherish her memories are her husband of 66 years, Jim, their daughters Kelly (Steve) Meier of Waterloo, Iowa, Susie Hynes of Le Sueur, MN; grandchildren Jenny (Brad) Reis, Jaime (Bryan) Lair, Juston (Reid) Meier, Seth Hynes-Marquette, Noah Hynes-Marquette, Katie Meier, and Quinn Hynes-Marquette; great grandchildren Jalyn & Brandt Reis and Ethan & Ella Lair; daughter-in-law Traci Hynes; brother Jack (Cathy) Kirschbaum, sister-in-law Marilyn Lowe, honorary grandchild Corey Theesfeld; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Pat’s family would like to thank Ruthven Care Center staff and administration for the great care and personal attention they provided over the last several months.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Pat's name to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.