Patricia "Pat" Kolarik

TRAVERSE CITY — Patricia "Pat" Kolarik, 55, of Thompsonville, formerly of Traverse City, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, at Munson Medical Center.

Pat was born in Traverse City on July 15, 1953, the third little girl to parents, Thomas and Irene (Gilland) Hoffman. Pat's loving family would eventually grow to six siblings consisting of four sisters and two brothers.

Pat attended and graduated from St. Francis High School in Traverse City and went on to become an LPN for Munson Medical Center.

In January of 1979 Pat entered into marriage with Elmer Kolarik, and they made their home in Thompsonville, where Pat's enjoyment of the outdoors would blossom. Pat could often be found tending to her flowers, working in the vegetable garden or involved in any number of projects she had going.

She would take in much of the nature around her, watching the birds as they made their way to her feeders or basking in sunshine plucking the seasonal harvest for canning and baking.

Pat was a good cook that made an excellent pie and would always share her talents wherever possible. Pat would pass time with her hand-work, crocheting or searching for a great antique or item at the flea market.

Pat will be missed by a large family and friends for her hard work and ability to help out in any way she could.

Pat is survived by her husband of nearly 30 years, Elmer; parents, Tom and Irene Hoffman of Traverse City; four sisters, Sara (Doug) Parrott of Zeeland, Barbara (Roy) Carroll of Traverse City, Mary (Mike) Sletten of Texas and Susan (John) Bawden of Northville; a brother, Bill (Monica) Hoffman of Traverse City; five sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law; several nieces and nephews; and many other loving family members and friends.

Pat was preceded in death by her stepdaughter, Kimberly Kolarik; and a brother, John Hoffman.

Visitation for family and friends will take place from 4 until 6 p.m. today, Sept. 5, 2008, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, also at the funeral home, with visitation one hour prior to the service, with a recitation of the rosary beginning at 9 a.m. The Deacon Rene Hoenscheid will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home; www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.