Pat Sedlacek was born in 1923 to Frank L. Hunting and Katharine Holmes Hunting in Onawa, Iowa. She loved growing up in the small, rural towns of Onawa and Whiting where she attended schools, and graduated from Onawa High School. She furthered her education at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln , Nebraska, where she was a member of Tri Delta and a proud Cornhusker. During World War II, she moved with her parents to Eagle Rock, Ca where she worked for Bank of America. One of her good friends from Nebraska set her up with an ex-boyfriend from Crete, Nebraska who was a Marine pilot on leave in California. She married this special guy, Francis “Set” Sedlacek on September 30, 1944 in Eagle Rock, CA before he returned to the Pacific theater. Upon his safe return, they lived in Colorado, Denver and then Colorado Springs where their son, Michael, was born in 1946. They later moved to Texas for a short while and eventually settled in Los Angeles, CA where Set pursued a career in Air Traffic Control with the FAA. Their daughter, Kathy, was born in 1950 to complete their immediate family. In 1958, the family excitedly moved from the big city to the wonderful small town of Escondido near San Diego(8,000 residents at the time!). These were wonderful years for the entire family. In 1967, Set was transferred to the Palmdale Regional Center of the FAA where they continued to enjoy life and made more dear friends. In 1975 at retirement, they moved to Visalia, CA to join their daughter and her husband –they so loved their years here with the friendly people of the Central Valley.
Pat was always involved in all her children's activities, serving in various PTA , Boy Scout, Girl Scout, and church volunteer positions—she really loved to help in whatever way she was able. Pat dearly loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren and never wanted to miss a performance or sporting event (and rarely did!). She and Set were very active in the Central Valley Parkinson's Support Group, Sister Ursula's Kitchen, and belonged to the Visalia Dance Club for many years. Pat was a member of P.E.O. Chapter UR, and she was an avid bridge player. Pat attended the First Presbyterian Church in Visalia for many years and sang in the choir there. She attended a women's group and Sunday school class at Neighborhood Church. She attended Lindcove Community Bible Church for almost 30 years and treasured God's leading her there as a wonderfully defining moment that led her understand the love of God for her, not because of what she did but because of what Jesus did and continues to do just because He loves us. She knew His rest, His peace, and His joy were always available to her—there is no greater blessing! Her family is so grateful to the many people who filled her almost- 95- years full of life here on earth with unique adventures, love, understanding tolerance, and special care (Dr. Jim Foxe, Dr. Kusai Aziz, Dr. Tom Yang, Dr. Anil Patel, Dr. Andrew Ross, and all the wonderful people at Kaweah Delta Medical Center, Kaweah Delta Hospice Care, Kaweah Delta Private Care, and Delta Skilled Nursing.) She so enjoyed old and new friendships at Walnut Park (thank you Sheri and Jo, Deborah, Steve, Terri, Sandi, and Lisa for your thoughtful care!), and we know she loved the activities there and was proud of her beanbag baseball scores! She will be so missed by her family and many friends, but we are looking to that unbelievable reunion in Jesus one day in the blink of an eye—He is so good!
Her children Michael and Cathy Sedlacek of Littlerock, CA and Kathy and Larry Hemphill of Visalia, CA survive her along with grandchildren and great grandchildren: Mica, Mackenon, and Ethan Schuler of Palmdale, CA, Kevin, Julie, Ava, and Jacob Sedlacek of Bentonville, Arkansas, Steve and Annie Sedlacek of Lancaster, CA, and Patrick, Joni, Ryan, Tessa, and Sadie Hemphill of Visalia, CA. Her husband, parents, brother Franklin and sister Katharine, and great granddaughter, Addison Kate, preceded her in death. She loved staying in touch with so many special nephews, nieces and cousins.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, August 9, 2018 at 10 a.m. at the Lamp Lighter Inn (lunch to follow) with her pastor and friend, Jeff Title officiating. You may donate to Central Valley Parkinson's Support Group in her memory at P.O. Box 7314, Visalia, CA 93291.
Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.
