Deputy Patrick Heissel, 59, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at All Saints Catholic Parish-St. Joseph Church in Le Mars. Father Tom Flanagan will celebrate. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at St. Joseph Church. The family will be present from 4-7 p.m. with a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to Mass on Thursday.

Patrick Michael Heissel was born on January 31, 1965, in Le Mars, Iowa, one of 14 children born to Francis Bernard and Joan Ellen (Clifford) Heissel. He attended Gehlen Catholic Schools, graduating in 1983. Following graduation, Pat began working at Le Mars Mutual Insurance; he was the building, grounds and fleet supervisor. He was instrumental in planning the design and construction of the new building in Le Mars.

On September 24, 1988, Pat and Cheryl Steinfadt were united in marriage at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Le Mars. Together they welcomed two children to their family with the birth of their son Cole in 1991 and their daughter Megan in 1993. In 1997, Pat and Cheri purchased the Sears store in Le Mars. They owned and operated Sears until 2012. Pat took a position in sales at Fedders Marine and RV in Le Mars. At the same time he began working at the Plymouth County Law Enforcement Center where he worked as a jailer and a reserve deputy. He also worked part-time as a police officer for the City of Akron, Iowa. This experience would turn into a full-time position as a deputy with the Plymouth County Sheriff's Office and an active member of the Iowa State Sheriff's and Deputies' Association Honor Guard. Pat also served as the captain of the Plymouth County Rescue and Recovery Dive Team.

Pat was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served in various offices. In earlier years, he volunteered as a Boy Scout Leader with Troop 184. He and Cheri were regulars with the Thursday Night Club (TTNC) and they enjoyed motorcycle riding. A lifelong fan of the Packers and Hawkeyes, he could be found most nights enjoying the songs of Willy, Waylon and the boys. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren teaching them how to feed the birds or just the ground around the bird feeders.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Cheri Heissel of Le Mars, IA; a son and his wife, Cole and Jackie Heissel and their daughters, Emery and Elena of rural Remsen, IA; a daughter and her husband, Megan and Ty Schoellerman and their son, Arlo (and one arriving in November) of Tea, SD; siblings, Dr. Kris (Steve) Melloy of Loveland, CO, Jeff (Laura) Heissel of Arlington Heights, IL, Becky (Bud) Bates of Le Mars, IA, Lori (Mike) Rogan of Dubuque, IA, Kim (Jay) Becker, Kevin (Connie) Heissel, Jackie (Joe) Clarey, Nikki (Joel) Johnson, B.J. (Kerri Hoffman) Heissel all of Le Mars, IA; father-in-law, Marlan "Punk" Steinfadt of Le Mars, IA; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Hartwig of Spirit Lake, IA; Sharon Steinfadt of Le Mars, IA; a brother-in-law, Craig (Dawn) Steinfadt of Hayfield, MN; numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his infant siblings, Timothy, Regan, Molly and Kathleen; mother-in-law, Diane Steinfadt; nieces and nephews, Kaitelin Clarey, Joshua Johnson and Jamie Bates; and a great-nephew, Camden Hone.

Memorials may be directed to: Survivors of Blue Suicide (https://www.survivorsofbluesuicide.org/donate), Plymouth County Rescue and Recovery Dive Team or Gehlen Catholic Schools.