Patricia A. Brand, 91, of Fort Collins, CO, passed away recently following a brief illness. She was born in 1926 in Des Moines, Iowa, to Elmer and Ruth (Fulmer) Tatum.
Patricia graduated from East High School in Des Moines. She attended Iowa State University and earned a B.S. degree in Home Economics.
She married Carroll R. Brand on February 22, 1949. They farmed for nine years and then Carroll worked for ten years in several banks in Iowa and Nebraska. In 1969, they bought the Bank of Osborn in Osborn, Missouri. Patricia managed the daily operations of the bank, while Carroll managed the loans. Together they made quite a team. In 1994, Carroll retired, and Patricia became Chairman of the Board of the bank. They devoted 40 years to this successful enterprise. In 2012, Patricia moved to Fort Collins.
Patricia was a faithful homemaker, as well as a business partner with her husband. She learned the banking business "from scratch", despite having no previous training or experience in banking. She enjoyed sewing, reading, classical music, pipe organ music, and history. Her genealogical records of both sides of the family are exceptionally detailed and accurate. She enjoyed travel and was always curious about new places and cultures. She valued higher education and encouraged her daughters to pursue college degrees, careers, self-reliance and independence. She loved dogs, and in her later years her daughter's dogs were a great source of joy and comfort.
Patricia's faith in Christ was very important to her. She was always active in a local Baptist church; teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and playing the piano and organ for services. In later years, she was a member of Front Range Baptist Church in Fort Collins. She was a proud member of Daughters of the American Revolution, Gideon's International, American Legion Auxiliary, and American Business Women's Association.
Survivors include two daughters; Nancy (Mike) Ramirez of Gladstone, MO, and Susan Brand (Harry Mueller) of Fort Collins, CO, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Carroll, infant son Robert Wayne, sister Phyllis McKeever, brother John Dean Tatum, and her parents.
A special thank you to the wonderful staff at Rigden Farm Senior Living, LuAnn Smith and Gail Wagner of Covell Care, Alpha Omega Home Health, Columbine West Rehab, and Halcyon Hospice.
Funeral service: Tuesday, March 6, at 11:00 am, Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins.
Visitation: Tuesday, March 6, at 10:00 am, immediately preceding the service.
Interment: Evergreen Cemetery, Osborn, MO.
Memorial gifts: Halcyon Hospice, or Front Range Baptist Church, Fort Collins, CO.