Patricia Stadler, 74, of Columbia, IL, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 16, 2024, at Missouri Baptist Hospital. She was born to Rose and Philip Rahall in St. Louis, MO. She graduated from Affton High School in 1967, where she met her high school sweetheart, Bob Stadler. They married before their senior year at Mizzou on August 22, 1970, and were grateful to share fifty-two wonderful years together before Bob passed away a year and a half ago. Her pride and joy were their two daughters, Kristin and Kalli, their husbands, Nathan and Corey, and her four beautiful granddaughters, Addison, Kamryn, Gracin and Cayla.
Pat was a woman of faith, service, selflessness and gratitude. Her kindness knew no bounds as she impacted and befriended multiple generations because of her caring heart, her engaging personality, and her ability to connect with people over simple commonalities. She saw the very best in humanity.
After graduating from Mizzou in 1971, she became a kindergarten teacher, but her true calling was always to be a mom. She was her daughters’ room mother, Girl Scout leader and library volunteer. She taught PSR and shared her Catholic faith with fifth graders at St. Francis of Assisi parish in Oakville and with third graders at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia for a combined 30 years. Once Kristin and Kalli both left for Mizzou, Pat and Bob made more time for adventures together including travels (to all 50 states), Harley rides, country music concerts, weekends at Big Cedar Lodge, and decades of Mizzou football games – always cheering from the Student Section.
There was nothing Pat could not do. She loved learning and taking classes to teach herself new things. She was an amazing seamstress and creator of handmade gifts. Pat discovered new friendships and new volunteer opportunities at Nazareth Living Center planning monthly crafts and themed parties for the residents, drawing inspiration from her dear friend, Sister Rebecca. She received her Interior Design certification and helped friends and clients redesign and redecorate their homes.
In 2010, Pat and Bob moved from Oakville, MO to Columbia, IL to be closer to their daughters and their growing families. Pat’s greatest joy was being called Grandma. She selflessly and lovingly watched her four granddaughters during the workweek for the better of nine years until the youngest girls started kindergarten. When Grandma’s School was in session, she prepared her granddaughters for kindergarten and for life. The relationships she created and the lessons she taught each of them are irreplaceable and unforgettable. She listened; and she remembered all of the details of each granddaughter’s individual interests, their teachers, and their best friends by face and name.
She donated her time to many groups within her church community: the Arts and Environment Committee where she sewed the many beautiful banners hung during each liturgical season; the Prayer Shawl Ministry where she crocheted more than 100 prayer shawls in 14 years; the St. Vincent de Paul Society where she helped with Cosgrove’s Soup Kitchen in East St. Louis. She was a member of both the Monroe County Association Home & Community Education (HCE) and the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO).
Surviving are her daughters Kristin (Nathan) Butler of Columbia, IL and Kalli (Corey) Zavorka of Waterloo, IL; granddaughters, Addison and Gracin Butler; Kamryn and Cayla Zavorka; brother Richard Rahall of Bay City, MI; brother-in-law Dave (Jamie) Stadler of Annapolis, MD; cousins, niece and nephew and countless relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Stadler, Jr., her parents Philip and Rose Rahall, her brother Michael Rahall, her sister-in-law Dianna Rahall, and her in-laws Audrey and Robert Stadler, Sr.
Visitation at KUTIS AFFTON 10151 Gravois Road, St. Louis, MO 63123 on Sunday, April 21, 4:00-8:00pm. Funeral Mass at IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH 411 Palmer Road, Columbia, IL 62236 on Monday, April 22, 10:00am with Father Carl E. Scherrer officiating. Interment will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to BJC Hospice & Home Care Fund, The Backstoppers, or St. Vincent de Paul Society at Immaculate Conception Church.
Live streaming option for Funeral Mass:
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing woman. The love she had for her family was always noticeable and I felt like I was part of that every time I set foot in the Stadler home.
In high school, I remember Kristin and I spending many weekends sitting at their kitchen table talking with Mrs. Stadler about the latest happenings at Oakville and her letting us destroy her kitchen while we attempted to cook. She always welcomed me with a warm smile, kindness and treated me like family.
May she rest in peace!
Dear Kalli, Kristen, and family, We are so saddened by the loss of your mother, Pat. What an amazing, loving, and Christ-filled life she lead. All of us are blessed to have known her. We can only send our love and prayers that the Lord will wrap his loving arms around each of you in this time of grief. With deepest sympathy and love—Dave and Diana Bussen
We met Pat and Bob when we moved by Kristen and family. PAT was so mu h fun to be with. Best family to know. No more pain, dear Pat.
Kalli, Kristen and Family. Your mom was an amazing woman. I feel so fortunate to have been her friend. We spent many good times together and she got me through some of my worst. She had a heart of gold and was giving to everyone. I enjoyed our morning walk and talks! The world was a better place because of her. I look around my house and see the gifts she gave to me and cherish each one of them. She and your dad loved you girls and your families so much and it was apparent what a strong bond you all had. I hope knowing they are together again brings some peace to you.
Kalli, Kristin, & families-
Even though I’ve only known Pat for the last several years, she was a dear friend.
Pat was the most kind, giving, compassionate, thoughtful person I know. Always worried about everyone, but herself. She was just the Best!
Whenever she & Bob came to visit Bob & I, she brought one of her personalized
Creations, for us. I’m so thankful I have these things to remember her by.
She was so proud of you girls, granddaughters, & families. So glad you were close for her, & have such wonderful memories of her.
My Deepest Sympathy to you all.
Hugs-
Sheila Gibbs
Sheila, sorry I never got to meet you. So glad you and Bob got to be together although for too short a time. You made him so happy.
At church, Bob and Pat would let me know when they visited you and kept me posted on Bob’s health journey. I imagine the 3 of them having a nice Heavenly reunion ❤️
Take care,
Judy Pope
Kristin, Kalli and family,
I am so blessed and honored to have the years of friendship with Pat. What an amazing person and friend. I will miss her so much, my life will never be the same.
Rest in Peace
Love, Helen
Such a beautiful tribute to an incredible woman. So many of my happiest memories from high school are from when we were at Kristin’s house and how welcome Pat always made us feel.
Her memory will live on through the love and cherished moments you shared together. May you find solace in the beautiful memories you hold dear and may her spirit continue to guide and watch over you.
My deepest sympathies to you all.
Pat was such a wonderful woman married to such an amazing man with two pretty damn terrific daughters. I remember when I first came over to the Stadler household to pick up Kalli for our her first date (and first kiss mind you — sorry Corey). Bob looked at me like he was gonna wrestle me down to the ground and rip the living tar out of me if I made a wrong move. But Pat was just so kind and wonderful, but serious. Her kindness as a human and her clear and evident love of her daughter moved me, and I was a 16 year old punk. It was clear, if I made a wrong move I’d be more concerned about Pat. So I wasn’t gonna make a wrong move. Decades of friendship later and I can assure you that the same kindness and clear evident love her mother had for her family has been passed on to Kalli and Kristin. What a family, what a mother, and what a legacy… Kalli and Kristin we love you and your families. Godbless you both. Your mother and father live on inside of you. They did a fine job as parents. Love — Steve & Stacey
I only got to know Pat more personally in the last few years thru our involvement at ICC. She was a very sweet woman. I knew Bob a little better as I knew him from Brown Group. I worked for his good friend, Bob Gibbs. May they have a joyous reunion.
With sympathy,
Judy Pope
I was fortunate enough to volunteer with Pat at Nazareth Living Center! We were the seamstresses – she excelled at every project, and was always so helpful with me. She was one of the sweetest, kindest, happiest person I have ever known
and always had big smile on her face! Her obituary perfectly describes what a beautiful person she was! RIP Dear Pat
Pat & her dear friend, Linda were quite a dual for Sr. Rebecca’s
Parties held with a different theme-what ever it was both of
Them pulled it together. Pat would always go out of her way
To make a costume or follow thru on a theme which was hand picked for that holiday. It was only a surprise to find out what
They came up. Pat, was a dear friend to all. May she enjoy
Eternal Rest.. till we met again. Say hi to mary jo (dght) for me