Patricia Elizabeth Respondek

Patricia Elizabeth Respondek passed away peacefully on April 5, 2016, in Austin, Texas, surrounded by family. Patty, 85, had been living in Austin for the last 6 years after 37-years as a resident of San Antonio.

Patty was born February 5, 1931, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to a single mom, Elsa Pfeffer Hollinger--her father, Holt B., having passed away before she was born. She was raised by her mother and her stepfather, Earle K. Miller, who treated her like one of his own. She grew up in Grand Rapids but spent many summers with her deceased father’s family in Battle Creek, Michigan, so she was close to them in addition to her Miller family. She graduated from Grand Rapids Central High School and started her college days at Grand Rapids Junior College where she was named Homecoming Queen. After graduating with her Associate’s degree, she attended Michigan State University where she met Stephen Peterson on a blind date visiting from the University of Michigan. They put aside the university rivalry and married in 1951. Patty quit school to help with Steve’s college expenses. She had 6 children of this marriage which took her too many places with her husband during the Korean War to Brooklyn, New York and Nancy, France, and, back to Grand Rapids in 1953, then to Southern Indiana, near Louisville, Kentucky, in 1955, where her husband went to divinity school, back to Schoolcraft, Marne, Grand Rapids and Cassopolis, Michigan, until the Vietnam War called her husband and the family to Virginia and Texas. While raising 6 children and moving every couple of years, she also managed to go to Western Michigan University and graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso and, worked on her Master’s Degree there. Patty was a pastor's wife, military wife, barber’s wife, schoolteacher, and civil servant. She also served as a Docent at the Institute of Texas Cultures, a tour guide, volunteered with various charities and a city advisory board. She enjoyed genealogy research with her brother Bill, who willingly helped her explore her father’s side of the family as they traveled to the upper peninsula of Michigan and to Canada.

After raising 6 children, Patty was blessed with 3 stepchildren from her marriage to the love of her life Aaron Respondek, whom she married in 1979. They all made a great addition to the family and Patty always thought, “The more, the merrier.” Aaron was a native Texan and Patty never thought a Michigan girl could fall for a native Texan. Their wonderful marriage lasted until Aaron passed away in late 2005.

Patty was a people person with a wonderful sense of humor even when the joke was about her. She had a special bond with her nieces and nephews who likened her to Lucille Ball, and especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. Patty and Aaron renovated an old house in San Antonio from the 1880’s, where her entire family has many fond memories of family gatherings in her home. She was the ultimate hostess. During Christmas time, the presents alone often took up most of the living room when the 9 children starting having children of their own.

Survivors include her brother Bill (Mary) Miller; children, Stephen Peterson, Jr. (Bridget) of Blanco, Michael Peterson (Karen) of Dallas, Sharon Peterson of Houston, Nancy Dillow (Gale) of Sugar Land, Amy Bloomquist (Larry) of Austin, Sharon Ehninger (Rick) of San Antonio, Debbie Pape (Dennis) of New Braunfels, and Margie Schaeferkoeter (Joe) of San Antonio, many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents, her sister Barbara Vaughn, husband Aaron, and son, Richard Peterson.

Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, April 16, 2016, with a reception following at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church, 7127 Bee Caves Road, Austin, Texas 78746.

Memorial contributions may be made to Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church, St. Monica’s Catholic Church in San Antonio, or the charity of your choosing.