Pat Bednarz

With a warm smile and a generous heart, Pat Bednarz lived a life rich in family and friends. Pat's love language was giving, and she was always willing to lend a hand. Her natural curiosity and love of learning inspired her adventurous spirit and led to much joy along the way. Whether delivering the mail, supporting her loved ones' hopes and dreams, finding the perfect gift, or sharing an adventure near or far, Pat welcomed each day as a gift and every person as a friend. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Pat will long be remembered by those she so dearly loved.

1951 proved to be a year of increased comforts and exciting new possibilities. While unemployment dropped to 3.3%, the nation additionally celebrated the first direct-dial trans-coastal phone call, easier travel in more comfortable cars and on newly paved interstates, and the premieres of "I Love Lucy," "The Day The Earth Stood Still," and "An American in Paris." Nowhere was the sense of hope for the future more celebrated than in the hearts of Lambert and Nelma Grooten as they welcomed their daughter, Patricia, into their family on April 4 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Growing up on North 7th Street in Kalamazoo, Pat enjoyed the good company of her older siblings, Ron, Don, and Jan, and her younger brother, Rick. Though her older brothers picked on their younger siblings, all the kids were always outside, having fun exploring the pond and a nearby farmhouse with their neighborhood friends. They enjoyed climbing the silos and the barn's roof together, hanging out in the crow's nest, and checking out the 1919 antique car. Though Pat was rebellious as a kid, she didn't want to get in trouble. She was more motivated by a stubborn "You don't tell me what to do!" attitude. She participated in 4H and tried to be a good student at Kalamazoo Central High School.

Pat's mother was a housewife who had earned a teaching degree from Tennessee Women's College and was very artistic and intelligent. Pat looked up to her mother and took after her in many ways. Her extremely handy father was a fabricator who built industrial fans. The family enjoyed taking annual summer trips down to Tennessee to visit their grandma, and the kids enjoyed receiving a box of new clothes that she sent from time to time. Pat and her sister did their own laundry and that of their brothers. The family also had chickens, which they chased around the yard with their heads cut off, then plucked the feathers when it was time to eat them.

While attending a church meet-and-greet, Pat met her husband, Greg. Despite Greg's very bad jokes, he and Pat hit it off from the start and got along very well. As Pat loved new experiences, adventures, and art, and Greg loved gathering information and learning, one of their first dates was sharing a meal at The Crow's Nest and exploring a bookstore in downtown Kalamazoo.

For a time, Pat worked at Beach Bodies as a secretary. Then, when she was nearly 40 and pregnant with her daughter, Jill, she became a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. The job suited her perfectly, allowing her to be outside, meet people, and do whatever it took to serve her community for 32 years.

Since Jill was born later in life, her parents were both working full-time, but they still came together often to watch TV and movies as a family. Pat wasn't much of a cook; about all she would make was Goulash with canned tomatoes. Fortunately, Greg did the cooking, and they loved getting Chinese food from Chan's Palace in Paw Paw. Pat proudly supported Jill's band competition and modeled what it means to be a working woman, showing her that it's okay to work, love your job, and find your community.

Pat enjoyed the simple things in life, including going to casinos where she liked to play the slots and loved the food. Her love of travel led her on many train trips to Chicago. She went to Las Vegas, and for a time, she and Greg enjoyed riding their motorcycle and participating in the Gold Wing Riders Club. Pat and Greg loved watching game shows, and Pat loved shopping and growing her awesome stamp collection. She always knew where the coolest stuff and best deals were, and when she saw a deal, she would jump on it! She was always thinking of others and buying someone something that made her think of them.

When she became a grandmother, Pat enthusiastically welcomed her granddaughter, Gwen, and her new role. She enjoyed caring for Gwen, and when Jill saw pictures of Gwen on days Pat dressed her, all she could do was laugh. Pat would let Gwen dress herself and encouraged her to be herself. Jill loved that for them both. Pat's heart grew when her grandson Adam was born, as did her joy in buying toys for the grandkids.

Like a grown kid sometimes, Pat loved shopping at the Disney Store and sharing many fun adventures at Disney World with Jill. On a recent adventure to Chicago with Jill and Gwen, while Jill and Gwen attended Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, Pat relished watching the traffic from the hotel, sharing their excitement and hearing all about the concert when they returned. Jill will miss seeing her mom with her kids and the comforts of her steadfast support and companionship.

As we celebrate Pat's wonderful life, may we find much comfort in our many treasured memories. May we also find comfort in the honor of carrying her legacy of love, adventure, and generosity forward. In each moment we greet a stranger as a friend, serve others, say "Yes!" to adventure, cheer on our loved ones' endeavors, find a great bargain, watch Jeopardy or Survivor, hit the slots, and keep learning and growing with our beloveds, we keep Pat's memory alive and inspiring others as she so inspired us.

Patricia Ardis Bednarz, Age 74, died on February 11, 2026. Pat was preceded in death by her husband of 23 years, Gregory; and by her brothers, Ron Grooten and Rick Grooten. Surviving are her daughter, Jill (Dillon) Kasper; grandchildren, Gwen and Adam; siblings, Don (Debby) Grooten and Jan (Kenneth) Chandler; sisters-in-law, Sue Grooten and Evonne Grooten; and many nieces and nephews.

Please join Pat's family for a Memorial Gathering on Saturday, February 21st from 10AM-1PM at the Oshtemo Community Center (6407 Parkview Kalamazoo, MI 49009). Celebrate Pat's life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the West Michigan Cancer Center.