Patricia Ann Zielke was born on a United States Air Force base in Tachikawa, Japan on September 7, 1953. She was one of five children born to James Jr. and Anne Hamilton. Patty passed away in Ann Arbor, Michigan on May 14, 2022 at the age of 68.
Patty was the life-partner, soulmate, and best friend of Dan Fleszar for over 34 years. Beloved mother of Erik Zielke, Faith Pond, and Christine Keiper (Don).
Grandmother of eleven: Megan Zielke, Donny Keiper, Summer Zielke, Megan Keiper, Darren Zielke-Platt, Jake Keiper, Lena Zielke, Emily Zielke, Jeffrey Pond, Carter Zielke and Alexis Pond. Great-grandmother of two: Layla and Isabelle.
Patty will also be missed by her faithful and loving Yorkie “Skater” but is playing with her other two dogs; “Logan” and “Bud” who flew over the Rainbow Bridge some years ago and came to greet her on her way to Heaven like they used to on Earth.
Patty started her career in automotive parts manufacturing at Selastomer Detroit in the mid 1980’s. It was there in 1988 that she met the love of her life, Dan. She went on to work at Form Tech Automotive before going back to school to learn a new career doing medical transcription for Visiting Physicians as well as other medical institutions until her retirement in 2015 due to physical illness.
Patty and Dan hosted amazing Thanksgiving dinners every year, serving her fan-favorite smoked turkeys. During Christmas, they had trees larger than anyone did in the neighborhood, so large they took up near half the living room. Patty also loved the outdoors and enjoyed boating on the great lakes, salmon fishing, camping, and finding lighthouses to tour everywhere they camped. One of their favorite places to visit and relax was Manitou Shores Resort on the northern Lake Huron shoreline. While at home, she found joy in the outdoors by planting flower gardens and vegetable gardens that gave her the opportunity to do some canning.
Patty could be found listening to her favorite young country music, especially Carrie Underwood and eating coconut shrimp from Red Lobster. She was a huge fan of the Detroit Tigers and never missed a game. However, her family was her passion. She simply loved being a mom and a grandma and having the love of her life alongside her. As her grandkids would say “G-ma Z is the best!!” They enjoyed the pool parties and sleepovers with Grandma and Papa - watching scary movies (which Grandma usually laughed at), baking every sweet thing in the house they could find and staying up all night! She will be deeply missed.
Patty will be laid to rest at St. Hedwig Catholic Cemetery with committal prayers on Monday, May 23, 2022 at 1:00 pm.
To honor her love of all animals, Patty's family would appreciate any memorial donations in her honor be made to the Michigan Humane Society. Please select the link below to donate.
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