Patsy Pehl Brieden

1937 - 2023

Patricia Pehl Brieden, known to all as Patsy and those dear to her as "Nana", was welcomed home peacefully by the Lord on the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023.

Patsy was born on Aug. 19, 1937 in Comfort, Texas to Alfred and Elizabeth (Segner) Pehl. She was raised in Fredericksburg, Texas, where her parents established and ran the family business, Pehl's Flower Shop. Patsy was known by many in town as she often made deliveries for the Flower Shop to the local businesses. At 13 years old, she obtained a hardship license to drive the family station wagon to make floral deliveries, which she often did barefoot.

Patsy attended Saint Mary's Catholic school, where in high school, she joined the cheerleading squad. While she partook in other activities and sports, her greatest hobby was known to be her conversational skills on the sidelines. After graduation, Patsy moved to Austin, Texas in 1955 to attend Seton School of Nursing. It was here that she was set up on a blind date by her roommate with a boy named Leonard Brieden Jr., who was a student at Texas A&M University. Leonard was taken by Patsy's golden hair and charismatic smile. After countless letters, Texas A&M football games, and trips between Austin and College Station, the two fell in love. In the summer of 1957, under the midnight moonlight in Lafayette, Louisiana, Leonard asked Patsy for her hand in marriage. Leonard and Patsy were married on April 12, 1958 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fredericksburg, Texas. They would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on April 12, 2023.

Patsy graduated from Seton School of Nursing in 1958 as a registered nurse. She worked at several hospitals, including Saint Joseph's Hospital in Bryan-College Station, Texas, Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, where she would walk 18 blocks in the snow to get to work, and Christus Santa Rosa Children's Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. While she worked in many specialties, Patsy especially loved her time as a labor and delivery nurse. Leonard and Patsy settled in San Antonio, Texas, where Patsy found her passion as a mother.

Patsy lived simply. She did not care for materialistic things, for as what she enjoyed most was the company of those around her. She could strike up conversation and find common ground with any soul, ranging from her neighborhood trashman and postman to a company's CEO. Patsy knew no stranger. Patsy was quick to offer help to her friends, especially during times of illness, displaying the "forever nurse" in her. She especially enjoyed visiting those in nursing homes who no longer had living family or friends. Patsy was known to love red cardinals, gardenias, her 2002 gold Lexus, and a small Christmas tree that she would keep up year-round to keep the spirit alive. One of her fondest passions was to spend time down at her and Leonard's ranch in Catarina, Texas, where they planted and grew orange trees. She had many friends within the community and took great joy in bringing them baskets of the oranges that they grew. Patsy's greatest joy was giving.

She is survived by her husband, Leonard; their children and grandchildren, her brother, Billy Pehl, and sister, Betty Rahe, all of whom loved her and will miss her dearly. She is preceded in death by her parents.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Patsy Brieden can be made to the Christus Santa Rosa Children's Hospital. A private mass will be held by the family. Her family finds comfort that she now rests in peace with the Lord her savior. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16