ROCKFORD – Patricia Ann Klotz, 81, of Rockford passed away peacefully on the morning of August 25th in the gentle care of Alpine Fireside and OSF Hospice. Pat was born January 3, 1937, in Detroit, Michigan, to Helen and Phil Murphy. While attending Judson College, Pat began learning the travel industry with her husband, Ken as her mentor. Pat married Kenneth R. Klotz on July 16, 1955 at Santa Maria Del Popolo Church in Mundelein, IL and he preceded Pat on September 18, 2013. She and her husband managed several travel agencies in Rockford. In later years, they founded and operated Rockford Travel Center, Inc. Pat also taught many aspiring travel agents through the Rockford Business College, where she achieved the level of Dean of Students. Pat was an enthusiastic volunteer in the community including being a Pink Lady at Saint Anthony Hospital for 20 years. She was an active member of the Catholic Women’s League, St. Vincent DePaul Society of Holy Family Church, and Anderson Japanese Gardens. Pat was a 40+ year member of Holy Family Catholic Church.
Pat is survived by her sons, Richard (Sherry), Roscoe; James (Jolene), Mequon, Wi. grand-children – Kirsten Cobb (Brian), Mobile, Alabama; Monica Pleshkewych (George), Rockford; Kyle Klotz (Missy), Rockton; Kraig Klotz, Roscoe; and Kari Johnson (Ricky), Roscoe. Great-granddaughters, Liliana Pleshkewych (who loved Great-Grandma’s Jell-O), Emma Pleshkewych, Audrey Klotz, Julia Klotz, Moira Cobb, and very soon to be born 1st great-grandson Johnson.
Visitation on Wednesday, August 29, 2018… at Holy Family Catholic Church, Rockford, IL from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. prior to a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m.
Special thanks to the nurses and staff at OSF Hospice and Alpine Fireside for their caring attention and support during Pat’s final days with our family.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Pat’s name to Anderson Japanese Gardens 318 Spring Creek Rd. Rockford, IL 61107.
