In Memory of Patrick "Pat" L. Stapleton

Patrick “Pat” Lee Stapleton, age 72, of Battle Creek, Iowa, passed away on Friday, December 10, 2021, at his residence of Battle Creek, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 20, 2021, at the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. Eugene Tolstedt will officiate. A Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., on Sunday December 19, 2021, at the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Battle Creek, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Patrick “Pat” Lee Stapleton, 72, of Battle Creek, Iowa, peacefully finished life’s last race at the farm where he has lived for the past 44 years on December 10, 2021, from aggressive cancer. He had claimed for the past year that he had been a “worn-out unit that was past restoration,” just one of the Pat-isms that he used to analyze the life around him. 

He had a logistical and analytical outlook on life that added insight sprinkled with sarcasm. He enjoyed tinkering with anything that had motors, wings, or wheels and was known to work on anything from wooden rubber band cars, antique firetrucks, and any type of race car imaginable. 

“Going racing’ was a way of life for his family and the traveling involved was not a barrier but was an adventure! Pat didn’t have the fancy “houses on wheels” that those other racers had; he used a single cab pickup and a homemade trailer and only those material and tools that could reasonably fit in the back. That was enough though for him to consistently have a good time and even bring home some trophies. 

He enjoyed car racing, and when he was unable to participate any longer, he was content to spectate at events where his son and grandsons were competing. He also liked to frequent antique shops because apparently no house can have enough thermometers or salt and pepper shakers. 

Like many older men, Pat wasn’t one to verbally express his love for his family or friends. He did however show his affection in other ways. As a self-employed mechanic, he greatly valued his time, and any utilization of his free-time was his way of offering himself to others. He was known for creating wooden gifts and models of airplanes and cars. Offering free advice (especially mechanical) was more than small-talk, he viewed it as valuable and offered it only to those he valued personally.

Pat was a patriarch of a large family. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 44 years, Kate Stapleton of Battle Creek, IA  and his four children: sons, Michael (Heather) Stapleton of Denison, IA and Mark Stapleton (special friend Melissa Samaniego) of Schleswig, IA and daughters, Brenda (Marcus) Zimmerman of Danbury, IA and Elizabeth Stapleton (special friend Jason Weber) of Danbury, IA. 

Pat was especially fond of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Corey Stapleton (Tarin Clausen) and his son Jayden, Alec Stapleton (Josie Amsden) and his daughter Savannah, Kirk (Becky) Stapleton, Keith Stapleton, Michelle Miller (Shaun Grau) and her children Dakota and James, Cheyenne (Jerry) Haymans and their daughter Hayven, Mateya Hollander, Blake Nedich, Dylan Nedich, Karie Zimmerman, Cecil Smallwood, Elliot Smallwood, and Adele Smallwood. 

He is also survived by his sister, Sandra Jepsen and her children Joel Stapleton, Jody Jepsen, Melissa Jepsen, and Elaina Kirschner. 

Individuals who helped to brighten Pat’s days include his friends Lonnie and Amelia Luscombe, Todd Susie, Jack Osborn, Joe Menke, Brian Mefferd, and all of the fellow crew chiefs, pit crews, and drivers he encountered along the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents Donna A. (Williams) and Joseph P. Stapleton, Jr.; previous wife Mary Ann Lau; and great-grandchild Raina Elaine Haymans.