Patricia Ann Rysta

Patricia Ann Rysta, 87, of Sioux City IA, peacefully entered the gates of Heaven on Sunday, February 18th 2024, surrounded by her family at Mercy Hospital. 

Services will be at 11:00 am, Monday, February 26 th at Morningside Lutheran Church. Visitation will be Sunday, February 25th from 5-8 PM, with a prayer service at 7 PM at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel.

Patricia (Pat) was born on August 9, 1936 (although she would always argue with you about the year) to Raymond and Mary Alice Johnson in Charles City, Iowa. Three years later, her brother, Tom, was born. They moved to Sioux City, IA in 1950 and she graduated from Bishop Heelan Catholic High School in 1955. She worked as a waitress at the Sioux Harbor Truck Stop and the Sioux City Journal. She met the love her life, Richard Rysta, and they married on February 5th , 1958 in Nebraska. Together they built a life in Sioux City and had three beautiful children.

Patricia’s heart was truly one of a kind. She was a foster parent for the State of Iowa and raised over 100 foster children. Her home was always filled with kids, love, laughter, and good food. She had a love for crocheting and anything crafting. If you asked, she would make it for you. Her favorite place to shop was Hobby Lobby, and she would always leave with numerous skeins of yarn, magazines, and ideas. She loved to make baby blankets for anyone the family knew that was bringing a little one into this world.

She was a member of Morningside Lutheran Church and lived life through her strong faith.

Those still here to remember her life are her brother, Tom (Grace) Johnson of High Point, NC; her children: Greg (Laurie) Rysta of Charleston, SC, Lisa (Shawn) Byrne of Sioux City, IA, and Ryan Rysta of Sioux City, IA; her grandchildren: Cassie (Matt) Larson, Michael Byrne, Abbie (Andrew) Lobach, Andrew (Allison) Rysta, Samuel Rysta, Mayson Rysta, and Ellyson Rysta; her 4 great grandchildren: Jack, Olivia, and Luke Larson, Barret Lobach, and another one the way; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Richard Rysta; her parents, Raymond and Mary Alice Johnson, her mother and father in law, brother in law, 4 sister in laws, and a niece.

The family would like to give a sincere thank you to the staff at Mercy Hospital Intensive Care Unit for the amazing care they gave Patricia during her last week in this life.