Patricia Pat Ann Peterson

Patricia (Pat) Ann Peterson (nee Van Osdel) was born on April 25, 1941 in Shelby, Ohio, and died on September 4, 2014. She was the only child of Ralph O. Van Osdel and Mildred L. Van Osdel (nee Harcalrode). She is survived by her loving husband, Robert (Bob), her daughter Tonya ( Shawn) Neider; her son Rusty (Brenda) Peterson, and her grandchildren Megan and Connor.

Pat was raised on a farm in rural Ohio, near the town of Mansfield. Early on in her childhood, she discovered her affinity and talent for music, especially the flute. Pat was amazingly talented, and continued her passion for music at Bowling Green State University, in her late teens / early twenties. She received a degree in Elementary Education, and continued to play and teach flute even after her graduation from college.

It was in Pueblo, Colorado that she met the love of her life, Bob, while teaching 5th grade students. They were soon married, and relocated to Colbrun, Colorado. Pat taught elementary students in Colbrun Colorado for several years, and also in Napavine and Chehalis, Washington, before she and her family moved to their permanent home in Denver, Colorado in 1969.

Pat was passionate about many things… the first of which was her family. She was an amazing mother, and a doting grandmother. There was never a day that went by when Pat was not either making meals or helping out her family in some way. She was fervent in her desire to help and be with the ones that she loved.

Her passion for music was also a driving theme in her life. Upon moving to Denver, Pat retired from teaching elementary students in order to be a wonderful mother and wife; however, she continued her musical pursuit by teaching private flute lessons out of the house, in the music “studio” that Bob built! Evenings during the week were full of bustle, activity, and music from the small room off the kitchen (sometimes beautiful, sometimes a little harsh if it was a new student)! But above all else, Pat was patient, kind, and superbly complimentary to her flute students.

For her own pleasure, and more importantly the benefit of those fortunate individuals who were able to hear her, Pat performed with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on many occasions, often for major celebrations around Christmas and Easter. She also shared her tremendous gift with her congregations, first at Valley Lutheran Church in Denver (where she played and sang with the choir), then at Lutheran Church of Hope in Broomfield, Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Broomfield (a nearly every week endeavor) and finally at her final congregational home of St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Northglenn. She performed for those congregations with passion and delight until a surgery to remove a tumor from her brain in 2005 left her unable to play. She continued with the choir for several more years at St. Stephens.

Pat was deeply spiritual. Christ was first and foremost in her life, and her connection to church. Her family will remember those weekly services, sometimes with grumpy and hurried children in tow who had a soccer or baseball game that day, but Pat was sure to have God and church first.

In her free time, Pat also had a strong love for gardening. She continued to raise a garden with peas, carrots, beans, peppers, spinach, rhubarb, kohlrabi, tomatoes, and of course, her beautiful roses. One could always revel in the beauty and magnificently odiferous roses along the front walk up to the house.

Pat developed a new found passion for birds in her later years. Tonya took an ornithology class at a local college in order to help Pat fuel and realize her new passion. Many, many long, circuitous routes were taken between Denver and Washington (Tonya’s home) that took 2 weeks, because hundreds of additional miles and stops were needed to see the Sand hill Cranes or the Western Tanagers!

Pat loved to travel, especially when there was no set schedule. She loved to see the outdoors in all of its magnificence and glory. But when at home, there seemed to be nothing that gave her more pleasure than baking and cooking for family and close friends. Beyond all of her other loves and desires, family was certainly number one.

Game nights and card nights were another favorite for Pat. She loved the after-dinner hours when the dishes were all done, and the family and friends would sit around the table play cards…. Especially pinochle, whist, canasta, international rummy, and double head.

She was a very skilled seamstress, and liked to sew and knit. Tonya and Rusty can certainly remember wearing many outfits to church that were sewn by Pat from just a pattern and her capable hands! She enjoyed cross-stitching as well, and would revel in an opportunity to make a pillowcase or other decorative item for friends as a Christmas gift. What could be more special than a gift made with her own hands and love.

Pat remained ever-positive and completely trusting in God throughout her illness. When asked to describe how she wished to be remembered, Pat said:

“I wish to be remembered for my generous Spirit, loving heart, and my tender and giving nature. I am a Nature Lover, especially birds, music lover, and flutist with emotion. I wish for my family and friends to think about what I was like BEFORE I became seriously ill.”

Pat will live on in our hearts and memories forever as an amazing flutist, loving and devoted mother, and beautiful, loving, caring wife. She was a blessing in the lives of those lucky enough to have known her. She lived her life not for herself, but with love and passion for others. She will be missed beyond measure by her family and friends, but her memory will make us all smile, laugh, and sometimes cry for years and years to come.

Rest in Peace Pat…. We LOVE you with all our hearts.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Stephens Lutheran Church, 10828 Huron Street, Northglenn, Colorado 80234.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:

Visiting Nurse Association Hospice

390 Grant Street

Denver, CO 80203

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery, Thornton, CO.