Patricia A. Merchant

Patricia A. Merchant, 81, of Sioux City passed away Monday, Nov. 30, 2015, at a Sioux City hospital.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Church of the Nativity. The Rev. Steven McCloud will officiate. Private graveside services will be in Graceland Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. until service time Friday the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.
Patricia was born on July 5, 1934, in Jackson, Neb., the daughter of Leo and Evelyn (Dailey) Rush. She was raised in Jackson and graduated from Bishop Heelan Catholic High School. She graduated from St. Joseph School of Nursing. Pat worked at Dr. Leichter's office in Sioux City as well as a doctor's office in Elizabethtown, Ky.
Patricia married Patrick Merchant on Sept. 5, 1955, in Jackson. The couple lived in Kentucky for two years, returned to Sioux City for a short period of time, then moved to Sioux Falls, S.D., before returning to Sioux City in 1961.
Pat was a member of Church of the Nativity and the Confraternity of Christian Mothers. She was in charge of the funeral luncheons for more than 20 years. Pat loved the Cornhuskers, the Fighting Irish and a lucky slot machine. Her greatest joy came from her family as she was truly the matriarch, making each birthday and holiday a special event.
She is survived by her husband, Patrick; children, Paula (Rick) Ashcraft, Kelli (Cody) Harris, and Kirk (Diane) Merchant; grandchildren, Cameron, McKenzie, Courtney, and Danielle; and great-grandchildren, Brooklynn, Noah, Cole, Caden, Lincoln and Jackson.
A memorial has been established in her name for the Heelan High School building fund.