Patricia Stemm
April 19, 1935 — June 25, 2009
COL Patricia A. Stemm, Army Nurse Corps, Retired, died after a long battle with lung cancer on 25 June 2009. Patricia was born in Zanesville, Ohio on 19 April 1935. She was preceded in death by her father, Albert and mother, Anna (Doty) Stemm of Zanesville, Ohio. Pat is survived by her sister, Carolyn Stemm (Ronald Anderson) and son, Chad Stemm (Shelly); her sister, Pamela Stemm (Dirk Fulks); nephew, Andrew; niece, Melissa (Joe Osborne); great-nephews, Caeleb, Gabriel, Benjamin, David, Elijah Stemm and Austin & Logan Osborne, all residing in Ohio; and many supportive aunts, uncles and cousins. She is also survived by special friends COL Jessie Brewer of Garden Ridge, TX and COL Mary Messerschmidt of New Braunfels, TX and an additional group of dedicated friends. After retirement Pat volunteered with Women Working Wonders, building Womans Habitat Houses, Bracken Volunteer Fire Dept. making potato pancakes and was an active pool volleyball team player. She was a member of American Legion Post 612 in Windcrest, TX and the Army Nurse Corps Association. Pat was a member of the Bracken United Methodist Church serving as a representative on the Randolph Area Christian Assistance Program Board (RACAP). She was also known as the Candy Lady at church giving members candy before the service. Patricia graduated from Lash High School, Zanesville, OH in 1953 and in 1956 she graduated from Bethesda Hospital in Zanesville where she stayed on staff as a Registered Nurse. In 1964 both she and Mary Messesrschmidt joined the Army Boot Strap program where as 1LT they completed their BS degrees in Nursing at Western Reserve University. That began Pats Army nurse career in many locations in the US and around the world to include Brooke Army Medical Center, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 106th General Hospital Japan, and teaching at the Academy of Health Sciences at Fort Sam Houston, TX. In 1970-1971 Pat served in the Republic of Vietnam as Chief and Assistant Chief Nurse at three different locations. COL Stemm served as Chief Nurse at FT Knox, KY; FT Polk, LA; and culminated her career as Chief Nurse at FT Belvior, VA. Pats education included her Master of Science Degree in Hospital Administration from the Army Baylor Program with her residence at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center, Denver, CO. She graduated from the Army Command & General Staff College at FT Leavenworth, KS. COL Stemms awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Legion of Merit, The Bronze Star, The Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, The Army Commendation Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation Unit Campaign Medal with cluster, Vietnam Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit citation (1st class), Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm, Army Service Ribbon. She was awarded the A prefix professional designator in Nursing Administration and the Order of Military Medical Merit by the Army Surgeon General. Pat had two passions, Nursing and the Military and even while she was so sick, she tried to help everybody. One could learn a lot about Nursing, about being a soldier and about life from Pat just by watching and listening to her. Our Dear friend, sister, aunt, candy lady and our make friends with everybody lady will be missed by all. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Army Nurse Corps Association, The AMEDD Museum Foundation, Bracken United Methodist Church Connection Center, RACAP, Soldiers Angels, or the charity of choice. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at Bracken United Methodist Church located on FM 2252 in Bracken, TX. The Funeral Service and Interment, with full military honors, took place in her hometown of Zanesville, OH this past week.
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