Lorraine “Lorri” Patricia Pate
Lorraine “Lorri” Patricia Pate
Hiawatha
Lorraine “Lorri” Patricia Pate, 67, of Hiawatha, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 11, 2024, at Mercy Medical Center. Mass of the Resurrection will be 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hiawatha. A visitation will be held one hour prior, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the church. The burial will take place at Dunkard Cemetery.
Lorri was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on October 22, 1956, to Barbara May Paradies and Donald Ambrose King II. She married Ray Curran Hard III, and together they had four children: Ray (RC) Curran IV, Kacy DeShonn, Jason Ambrose, and Kristalyn May. They later divorced. On April 22, 1988, she married Donald (Buster) Ray Pate, and they built a life together in Hiawatha. Lorri supported her husband in running his business, Pate’s Construction, for many years, but her heart was in being a loving wife and mother.
Lorri had great pride in her children. She found immense joy in their accomplishments and cherished every moment spent with them. An avid reader, Lorri could often be found lost in a good book, and her love for reading was one of her greatest pleasures. When not immersed in a novel, she could be found tending her beautiful yard, where she could spend hours. Her vibrant flowers and well-kept garden made her home stand out amongst her neighbors.
A carefree and creative soul, Lorri had a deep love for music. She was a self-taught pianist who found joy in playing the organ during Sunday Mass, often accompanied by her niece and nephew singing. A talented artist, her drawings were captivating, and she used her artistic gifts to design and paint many of her husband’s race vehicles over the years.
Lorri’s creativity extended into her role as a mother. She loved doing crafts with her children, particularly around Christmas, and her homemade Halloween costumes were award winning.
Lorri also enjoyed her quiet moments of relaxation, often spending hours soaking in the tub—a daily ritual that brought her peace and comfort.
Lorri is survived by her mother, Barbara King of Marion; her four children, R.C. (Anne) Hard of Mesa, AZ, Kacy (Shawn) Witten of Cedar Rapids, Jason Hard of Hiawatha, and Kristalyn (Dustin Riley) Irving of Cedar Rapids; her six grandchildren: Austin (Olivia Alvarez) Witten, Dalton Ridler, Shaylynn (Brennen Rippe) Hard, Riley Gearhart, Jaden Hard, and Colton Irving; and one great-grandchild, Asher Ridler. Lorri also leaves behind her sister Diane and her brothers Donald III, David, Daniel, and Douglas, as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Don, her father Donald, her sister Kathie King-Hoffman, her niece Michelle King and brother-in-law, Bob Hoffman.
Lorri’s memory will be cherished by all who knew her, and her legacy of love and devotion will live on in the hearts of her family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.
Online condolences may be conveyed at www.cedarmemorial.com.