Patricia "Pat" Eggen

Some people always want for more, never satisfied with what they have, never grateful for the gifts they've been given. Pat Eggen certainly wasn't one of them. Pat was a wonderful woman, who thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the life she led, a life full of so much fun, friendship, and family. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, and a friend to so many. Most of all, she was a woman who always made the most of what she had, and taught us to do the same.

Pat's story began on a cool fall day in 1928, as Halloween approached in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Those were good times in this country, times of hope and innovation, as Amelia Earhart crossed the Atlantic, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, and Mickey Mouse sprang to life on the Silver Screen. Those were exciting times, in the calm before the storm of the Great Depression, and they were especially happy times for William and Iva (Hale) Williams, who celebrated the birth of their only child on Wednesday, October 24, 1928, a beautiful baby girl they named Patricia Ann.

Pat grew up on KL Avenue in western Kalamazoo County, where her father had a tree farm, in addition to his duties at the U.S. Post Office. Growing up, Pat developed a lifelong love for the outdoors, from running through the rows and rows of trees on her father's farm, to the family trips they would take to the beach at Lake Michigan.

Pat attended Mattawan Public Schools, where she made friends with the Eggen sisters, who luckily for her, also had some brothers! Pat began dating one of the Eggen brothers, nicknamed "Sonny," though eventually, she became more interested in a different brother, named Delbert. Delbert was three years older than Pat, but the sparks flew between them, and they quickly began dating.

Soon, however, the lovebirds were separated by the darkening skies of World War II, and Delbert was sent to serve his country like so many of his peers. So many young men were in the service, in fact, when Pat graduated from Mattawan High School in 1946, it was a very, very small class, and mostly all women.

When Delbert was discharged, he returned home to the Kalamazoo area, and returned to his beloved Pat. The couple wasted little time once they were reunited, and were married on January 26, 1947, on a snowy winter Sunday at her parents' home.

The happy newlyweds soon became loving parents, as well, with Sherrie, Bill and Nanci bringing so much pride and joy into their lives. Pat was a loving, caring wife and mother, who devoted her time to providing an excellent home life for her family.

In 1955, when she was 27, Pat contracted polio, the same year Dr. Jonas Salk developed his miraculous vaccine. Even without the benefit of the vaccine, Pat was thankfully able to stave off the disease, amazingly suffering just a few minor side effects.

Pat and her beloved family did much together over the years, especially taking trips to enjoy the great outdoors. The family would all pile in the car and head off to Lake Michigan, or they would go up north to northern Michigan. Pat always loved visiting the Soo Locks in the Upper Peninsula. They didn't travel often, but on special occasions they would head off to watch a car race, packing a picnic lunch to take with them. Pat was a lifelong race fan, especially NASCAR, and cheered on Dale Earnhardt, Sr., and then later Dale Jr. every Sunday.

While her husband was the main provider for the family, when her children were older Pat took part-time jobs, to keep her busy and to earn some extra income. She often worked at Texas Corners, in nearby Texas Township, working at places like Rusty's and Wolber's, where she made so many friends. Pat was such a fun-loving, pleasant person who made friends easily everywhere she went.

When Pat and Delbert retired, they had no trouble enjoying their free time. Pat enjoyed so many things, from going to the lake, to curling up with a good biography (ones about the old-time movie stars were her favorite), to playing cards with her friends. She was an avid card player, and played in a club with eight other women for many years. Pat was also a sports fan, and in addition to NASCAR, she enjoyed going to Grand Blanc, Michigan every year to watch the Buick Open PGA Tour event at Warwick Hills Country Club. One of her favorite pastimes was gathering her family together for a big fish fry on a warm summer day, always such a special treat for her.

Sadly, her beloved Delbert died in November of 2001, which was very hard for her. She relied on her loving family, which had grown to include her grandchildren, Kevin and Jason, and great-grandchildren, Logan and Kyla. She also had the warm companionship of her dog, Gypsy, the latest of many canine companions over the years.

In recent years Pat's health declined, and in 2003 she moved into Tendercare of Portage, which truly became her home. She enjoyed living there, where she received wonderful care, made many friends, and enjoyed the treats her daughters brought her.

In November of 2006, Pat suffered another difficult loss, when her son Bill died at the age of 54. She took his death hard, but also took it in stride, just as she did everything in her life. Pat possessed a positive attitude, always grateful for what she had, always appreciative of what she'd been given.

Pat sadly died on Wednesday, April 25, 2007, at the age of 78, after having a wonderful time the previous day with her daughter Sherrie.

Pat was a wonderful woman who enjoyed life and was so full of fun, friendship, and family. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and a friend to so many. Most of all, Pat was a woman who appreciated and enjoyed every day of her life, and taught us to do the same. She will be greatly missed.

Surviving members of her family include; two daughters, Sherrie (Ronald) Meyle of Kalamazoo, Nanci (James) Troxell of Shelbyville, KY, two grandsons; Kevin (Sheila) Meyle of Portage , Jason (Tamara Diamond) Meyle of Kalamazoo, two great-grandchildren, Logan and Kyla Meyle. Cremation took place and committal services will be held Tuesday May 1, 2007, 11:30 AM at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Food and fellowship will follow at the Old Country Buffet in Battle Creek. Please visit Pat's Memory Page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read her life story, share a memory or photo or make a memorial contribution to Tendercare Portage or the American Lung Association. Arrangements by Life Story Funeral Homes, Betzler-Kalamazoo 6080 Stadium Drive, 375-2900.