Patricia S. Gartman, 76, went home to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ on July 29, 2014, at her home in Hutchinson. She was born Nov. 1, 1937 in Oswego, KS, to Walter and Leona Pape then later was adopted by Jake and Eleanor Braunkau Stroh at the age of 18 months. She was a longtime Hutchinson resident also living in Nickerson, Wichita and Pretty Prairie.
Pat was a friendly, compassionate, caring person, always willing to help others. She was an animal lover and always had several at the same time living with her. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She was also very creative and artistic which she displayed in various crafts, drawing, painting, ceramics, knitting, crochet, and needlepoint but her passions went to quilting for the past 15 years. Many of her quilts went to charities but most to family members. She did professional quilting for others and had her own business “Quilts by the Lighthouse Lady”. She later assisted her daughter with opening /operating a quilt shop in Hutchinson. Pat also took part in other charitable events and volunteered for the animal shelter.
She worked for Cessna Fluid Power Division and Consolidated Motors and other types of employment, before returning to college and receiving her Liberal Arts degree and a Nursing degree, while working full time and raising a large family. She worked as a Registered Nurse for over 25 years in different capacities and specialties. She was a member of Crossroads Christian Church, Hutchinson.
She married James Strausberg April 14, 1957 in McPherson; he died, Dec. 18, 2007. She later married Thomas Gartman on Oct. 30, 2009 in Wichita. She is survived by her husband, Tom, her three sons; Greg Strausberg, Haven, KS, Steve Strausberg, Ft. Collins, CO, Lance Strausberg, Langdon, KS, daughter, Vicki Strausberg-Hooker, Hutchinson, KS, 18 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 1 great great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by 2 sons, Jason and Robert, and a grandchild, Shana.
Memorial service will be 2:00 PM, Tuesday, Aug. 5 at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Monday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society Pancreatic Cancer Research.