Patrick Doud

Patrick Joseph Doud, 87, of Stuart, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Thursday, July 29, 2021, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Visitation was held 4 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Historic All Saints Center, 320 N. Fremont St. in Stuart, with a prayer service starting at 7:30 p.m.

A Funeral Mass was 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021, at the All Saints Catholic Church in Stuart. Services were livestreamed on Johnson Family Funeral Home Facebook page.

Burial with military honors was in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Patrick Doud Memorial Fund for future designation. Online condolences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Patrick was born May 7, 1934, to Martin and Cecelia (James) Doud in Stuart. He graduated from Stuart High School in 1952 and upon graduating, enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Newfoundland during the Korean War.

During his deployment, he corresponded frequently with his neighbor, Mary Sherman. Knowing that she was “the one”, upon his return home, they were united in marriage on May 19, 1956.

During their early married life, Patrick and Mary made their home in Des Moines where he worked for Diamond Laboratories. They quickly outgrew the city life and in 1962 they moved to the family farm just south of Stuart to raise their prodigious family.

Life on the Doud farm meant a great deal to Patrick. Whether it was lambing season, fall harvest, or the middle of winter, you would find him outside in the garden, fishing at the pond, or fixing farm equipment, often shadowed by one of his many long-tailed rat terriers. If he wasn’t on his acreage, he was likely checking grain prices, checking what his sons had for daily rain totals, or spending time with his kids and grandchildren.

On special occasions, he and Mary would travel to see family and friends, with the pinnacle of his travel being to his homeland of Ireland in 2010 where his fondest memory was drinking a Guinness in Lydon’s Lodge listening to an Irish fiddler. He was most known for his homemade vanilla ice cream, bountiful sweetcorn harvest, late-night stovetop popcorn, and light-hearted singing voice — a musical talent passed on to his entire family. He was also an avid fisherman, conservationist, and hunter. His sons would attest that he loved the preparation of the hunt as much as the hunt itself.

Patrick was the quintessential farmer. He began farming with his father when he was a young boy and continued to do so for the next 70 years. During Pat’s tenure, he received the “Century Farm Award” which he was very proud of. In addition to farming, Patrick also worked as a hail adjuster and as an insurance adjuster for Shaw-Belden Insurance Agency. He was active in the American Legion, the Adair County Cattlemen’s Association, Knights of Columbus and Adair County Pork Producers.

Pat and Mary recently made their home at The Willows Assisted Living in Stuart, where they reunited with former friends and created many special new ones as well. Since moving into the Willows, each summer Pat (and his green thumb) have kept a garden for the residents. This summer, Pat’s most spectacular garden, is still bountifully producing to this day. Rumor has it, the garden has yielded in excess of 50 pounds of sweet onions.

The most important things in life to Pat were faith, family and community. Pat’s daily routine started on his knees in his living room with the rosary. And every Sunday morning you would find him at All Saint Church as a parishioner, eucharistic minister, or usher. He always had time for family whenever they dropped in. Pat loved the simple things in life, and always made time for his neighbors and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Cecelia Doud; brother Larry Doud; sister Mary Ann Bendernagle; granddaughter, Carrie Doud.

He is survived by Mary, his loving wife of 65 years; his brother Charles; his children: John Doud, Theresa Powell (Cliff), Kathy Moon (Tom), Tom Doud (Amy), David Doud (Sharon), Philip Doud (Amy), Mary Doud (Jeff), Martin Doud (Julie), Tim Doud (Brenda), Joan Doud (Matt), Dan Doud (Anne), Jim Doud (Tammy), Chris Doud, (Amy), and Jennifer Monroe (Marc); 40 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, all who will miss him dearly.