Patrick “Pat” John Derifield

Patrick J. Derifield died May 8, 2026 at Harmony in Waterloo. Pat was born May 10, 1939, in Fort Des Moines to his father, Clarence Derifield and his mother Annabelle McDuffy Derifield. He grew up in Waterloo, Iowa for his first 3 years and moved to Brownsville, Oregon to live with his maternal grandmother, as his father left to serve in WWII. His father came home from Japan in 1945 and the two of them returned to Waterloo.

Pat attended school in Waterloo at Edison Elementary, Lowell Elementary, and McKinstry Junior High. When Pat was 14, his father was injured in an accident leaving Pat to become the wage earner for the family. He did hot roofing and cement construction from 16 to 18. At aged 18, Pat was hired at John Deere.

He married Evelyn Russell in 1958 and they had a 64-year marriage. She passed away in 2022. They had three children: Patty (Byron) Beninga, John Derifield, and Bridgette (Tom) Skinner.

Pat joined the United States Army in 1961 and volunteered as a paratrooper in the 82 Airborne at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. He was given an Honorable discharge in 1964.

Pat worked at John Deere for 28 years retiring as a general supervisor in the Engine Works in 1986. He helped to build the Waterloo Engine Works from the ground up.

He was the founder/originator of the annual event known as the Fourth Street Cruise starting in 1981. This event brought thousands of cars, people and money into the City of Waterloo each year.

He married Carole Gustafson on August 31, 2024. They enjoyed traveling including Savannah, Georgia, New York City, Philadelphia, Florida, Canada, and South Dakota. Carole was an avid gardener, and he learned to love plants and flowers.

Pat has five grandchildren: Cody Beninga, Sloan (Jenna) Beninga, Shelby Beninga, Megan (Michael) Steadman, and Nathan Skinner. He has three great grandchildren: Loni Beninga, Winston Beninga, and Dexter Beninga.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, John, three brothers: Dennis Derifield, Eddy Derifield, and Jerry Derifield, one sister, Sandra Galle, and one granddaughter, Shelby Beninga.

Visitation is 5:00-7:00 PM, Thursday, May 14, 2026 at Locke on 4th.

Funeral Services 10:00 AM, Friday, May 15, 2026 at Locke on 4th followed by burial in Waterloo Cemetery with military rites by Iowa Army National Guard Honor Guard and Cedar Falls Amvets Post #49.