Patricia Ann Martens Shepard

Patricia Ann Shepard, 86, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2016. Pat was the only child born to Cassandra and Walter Martens in Rinard, Iowa May 4, 1929 where she was raised on a farm. As much as Pat was proud of her Iowa roots and experiences, she longed to see more of the world.

Upon receiving her undergraduate degree from what is now known as the University of Northern Iowa, she married the love of her life, Dick Shepard. They left Iowa immediately after their wedding reception and never looked back. They began their 62-year adventure together in Colorado to earn their Masters Degrees and began teaching high school students in Rock River, Wyoming. As newlyweds, they learned to hunt deer and antelope. Pat made a buckskin shirt for Dick from the first deer she hunted. He treasured that shirt and used to brag about what a great shot she was. They made many friends with whom they kept in close contact over the years.

Their next stop was Missoula, Montana. Pat worked in the Dean’s Office at the University, making one of her best, life-long friends, Mary Bielenberg. Pat and Mary had more fun at work, laughing throughout the day. They both claimed it was the best job they ever had! Years later, Mary and Pat traveled to Europe together, laughing their way across the continent and seeing the sights.

Pat was happy to follow Dick as he was transferred and promoted during his career with the Travelers Insurance Companies. This allowed them to see much of the United States and make long lasting friends across the country. They started their family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, welcoming Nancy Ann, and then moved to Hartford, Connecticut where Jan Elizabeth was born. Their son, Thomas Richard rounded out the Richard Shepard Family in Los Angeles, California. Their final move was to Kirkland, Washington where they raised their family.

Pat was a life-long teacher, focused on business occupation skills. She began as a typing teacher and as technology progressed, so did she. She taught computer skills in high school and college classrooms. In addition, she took her teaching skills to the office place. Her favorite client was the group of secretaries at the Coca Cola Offices in Bellevue, Washington.

The opportunity to take her teaching to the next level came when she co-authored word processing textbooks. She published several books, bringing the high-tech world to many, at a time when computers were not yet so prevalent. She had the ability to take the mystery out of technology and help people find useful features that would make their lives easier. She was an IT resource to her friends and family for many years.

After retiring, Dick and Pat built their home on Whidbey Island, enjoying the beautiful views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound for more than 20 years. She would often announce, “There goes an eagle!” That was something you just didn’t see on the cornfields in Iowa, and she loved it. She was fortunate to find their next-door neighbors on Whidbey Island, Marty and Carole Matthews. The Matthews wrote textbooks for software programs. They hired Pat to assist them with many of their books, which was a highlight for her; being a writer with a beautiful view of the mountains from her computer.

As much as the teaching and writing was a satisfying career for Pat, she always said the most rewarding and important work she ever did was to raise her family. That is a gift her family will carry forever.

Pat & Dick moved back to Kirkland, not far from the home where they raised their family. Dick passed on August 10, 2013. Pat joined him and their Lord from her peaceful room surrounded by pictures of her Iowa beginnings, special times spent in Sun Valley, a map of the world, and pictures of her family. She was truly blessed with a good long life and will be missed by her friends and family.

Pat is survived by her children and grandchildren, Nancy (Alan Bohling, Elizabeth & Jeffrey); Jan (Martin Rood, Michelle & Stephanie); Tom (Sarah Shepard, Sydney & Zack), as well as cousin Joanie Templeton Morris and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to the Northwest Chapter of the American Red Cross.