Patricia Hoyt Gunther

Patricia "Pat" Ann Hoyt Gunther was born May 10, 1931, to Donald and Grace Hoyt in Chicago, Il.  She was the oldest daughter of Donald and Grace Hoyt.   Preceding her in death are her parents Donald and Grace Hoyt, her husband James Gunther, her younger sister Donna Grace Hoyt Klein Crusan, her son James Bradley Gunther, and her granddaughter Melissa Marie Shambley. 

Pat grew up in the Chicago area and called Northbrook her home where she attended New Trier High School in Winnetka, IL.  After high school in 1949, she left the area and headed west to Denver, Colorado where she attended Loretta Heights College and majored in nursing.  This was an all-girls college founded by the sisters of Loretto in 1891.  She spent two years at Loretta Heights College before transferring to Loyola University of Chicago. It was here in Denver where  she fell in love with horses and skiing, which was a passion that she carried throughout her life.    

After attending Loretta Heights, Pat returned to the Chicago area and continued her studies at Loyola University.   At Loyola University,  she met the love of her life, husband, best friend, and companion forever, James (Jim) Gunther.   Jim and Pat were married on June 16, 1951, and lived their first few years of marriage in Northbrook, Il. In 1955, Jim’s job led them to Bettendorf, Iowa where Jim and Pat raised five children: James Bradly Gunther (deceased 4/2016); Pamela Mae Gunther of Bellevue, WA; Gregory Hoyt Gunther of Bettendorf, IA; Kathryn Allison Gunther of Kona, HI; and Karen Ellen Gunther Connelley of Phoenix, AZ.  

Pat is survived by her 4 remaining children, 1 daughter-in-law, 11 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren, which are  Susan Miesner of St. Louis, MO; Ryan Gunther of Seattle, WA; James Robert (Rob) Gunther of Gulf Shores, AL; Michael Gunther of Seattle, WA; Allison (Allie) Connelley DaCosta of Phoenix, AZ; Genevieve Alexander of Duluth MN; Gregory Gunther of Grand Rapids MI; Mareya Dick of Kona HI; Christina Gunther of LeClaire, IA; Amelia Connelley of Phoenix, AZ; Alyssa Dick of Kona HI; Jordan Nelson of Oakridge, OR; and Jacob Gunther of Oakridge, OR; as well as a number of nieces and nephews.  

There were several activities Pat enjoyed  that included horseback riding, horse show competitions, and participating in fox hunts. She was also a real estate agent, volunteer and past president of the Junior Board of Visiting Nurse Association, and a gift shop owner in the Quad Cities, IA.  As a family she enjoyed boating on the Mississippi River, and when Jim retired, she enjoyed cruising and planning the next international destination.  Cruising and exploring different parts of the world was a passion she shared with Jim.  Pat and Jim lived in Bettendorf, IA; Wellington, FL; San Diego, CA; and Pat spent her last two years in Phoenix, AZ. 

Pat was an enthusiastic skier and she made sure that her children learned how to ski, as well.   Many spring skiing trips were planned to the various resorts in Colorado and Utah.  Skiing became a hobby that was enjoyed by the whole family and brings back many fond memories.   

Pat and Jim were also good bridge players, and each thought the other was the better player. Both she and Jim enjoyed playing at various bridge clubs throughout the years. Most of all, Pat and Jim loved spending time with their family. They enjoyed catching up on their children’s and grandchildren's lives and they supported their children in their chosen path in life. Pat and Jim provided wisdom and advice throughout the years that helped their children recognize how lucky they were to have Pat and Jim as parents and role models. 

Pat and Jim will be laid to rest at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, in Pleasant Valley, IA, which is a place that they have always called home. The cemetery is where Pat rode her horses and could view the family home that is on the next hill over.

Memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2023at 1:00 P.M. at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix.