Patricia Ann Bandstra was born on December 28, 1938, at home near Knoxville, Iowa. She was the first of four daughters that were born to Paul P. and Bertha Heyveld Bandstra.

Pat was six years of age when her parents moved to Sully, Iowa where she attended the Sully Christian Grade School. Pat graduated from Pella Christian High School in Pella, Iowa with the Class of 1957.

On March 4, 1958, she was united in marriage with Rolland Duco Zylstra at the Sully Christian Reformed Church in Sully where she and "Duke", as he was known, made profession of their faith together that year.

Pat and Duke spent two years of their marriage in El Paso, Texas while Duke served with the U.S. Army and during this time they were blessed with a son, Timothy Paul, who was born on February 2, 1961. Duke owned and operated Zylstra Express in Sully where Pat was the secretary for many years.

At the present time she was semi-retired. Pat loved raising and tending her flowers. She and Duke loved to travel and going to places to enjoy Southern Gospel music. Her semi-retirement was abruptly brought to an end when she underwent major brain surgery on September 11, 2009, and their plans for subsequent treatments were not to be.

Pat passed away on Tuesday afternoon, October 20, 2009, at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella, Iowa at the age of 70 years. Pat's first love was God, her family and grandchildren.

Her family includes her husband, Rolland "Duke" Zylstra, their son, Tim Zylstra and his wife, Lori (Sward); three grandchildren: Benjamin Zylstra and his wife, Jennifer ( Floden) and their three children: Maddison, Mackenzie and Kyliee, Bethany Zylstra and her fiancé, Chase Tanke, and Bartholomew Zylstra all of Sully. Pat enjoyed watching her grandchildren play sports. Pat leaves two sisters and their husbands: Karen K. and Stanley Witzenburg of Sebring, Florida, Velma R. and Stanley Bogaard of Pella, and a brother-in-law, Lester Klyn and his wife, Linda, of Pella. The following brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law are also surviving: Rev. Martin G. (Carol) Zylstra of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Johanna (Ludolph) Zylstra of Sully, Evelyn (Ivan) Zylstra of Grand Rapids, Harriet (Robert) Zylstra, Quintin and Alice Zylstra of Pella, Seymour "Zeke" and Carla Zylstra of Sully, Joan "Joey" and John Bandstra of Pella, Bertha "Berts" and Jim Talsma of Colfax, Iowa, Revena and Frank Gritters, Linda and Donald Rus, Art and Verna Zylstra all of Pella; along with many nieces and nephews.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents: her father, Paul P. Bandstra, who died on May 22, 1971, at the age of 56 years, her mother, Bertha Bandstra, who died on March 23, 1991, at the age of 76 years; her sister, A. Joyce Klyn, who died on October 31, 1996, at the age of 56 years; her parents-in-law, Reink and Johanna Rolffs Zylstra; three brothers-in-law: Ludolph, Ivan and Robert Zylstra; and a sister-in-law, Carol (Martin) Zylstra.

Pat was baptized at the Second Christian Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa and since making profession of her faith had been a faithful member of the Sully Christian Reformed Church in Sully, Iowa. She helped teach Sunday School and Gems and was a past member of the Sully Christian School Circle.

Pat will be remembered as a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister. Arrangements by Van Dyk- Duven Funeral Home, Pella, Iowa.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at Sully Christian Reformed Church, Sully, Iowa.

Interment was held in the Sully Cemetery, Sully, Iowa.

For those desiring, memorials may be given for Hospice of Pella, Iowa.