Patricia "Patty" Scheidel

To Patty Scheidel, life was simple as it was all about her unwavering faith, her unending devotion to her family, and her selfless acts of service to those around her. She was a gracious, humble, and hardworking woman who had a great sense of humor. Patty was blessed to share much of her life with her husband Pat, and together they witnessed their family grow. Never one to worry about the things of this world, she lived life to the fullest each day, embracing both the joys and the sorrows. Although life will never be the same without Patty here, the priceless collection of memories she leaves behind will never be forgotten.

In the late 1920’s Louis and Josephine (Petz) DeVriendt were eagerly awaiting the birth of their first child. The big day finally arrived on March 12, 1928 when they welcomed a baby girl they named Patricia Ann. She was the oldest of five children to be raised in the family home on First Street, on the West Side of Grand Rapids, MI. To support the family, Patty’s father worked as a social worker and later at Bridge Street Electric while her mother was a busy homemaker.

In many ways Patty experienced an upbringing that was typical for young girls of her generation. She was a student at St. James Elementary, and she later when on to Union High School. Although Patty left school before completing her senior year, she went back to school as an adult and earned her diploma from Kenowa Hills High School in 1975. As a young girl, Patty was popular among her peers and enjoyed socializing and dancing the night away.

New and exciting changes were in store for Patty when she met the young man who would become her husband. His name was Pat Scheidel, and they met at one of the dances she attended. Sparks flew right from the start, and they soon found themselves deeply in love. The couple was united in marriage on November 25, 1950, at St. James Catholic Church. Patty and Pat were blessed to welcome 10 children including Louie, Greg, David, Joanne, Christine, Brian, Matthew, Margaret, Sara, and Sharon into their hearts and home.

The heartbeat of her home, Patty always put the needs of her family ahead of her own. Pat started his own business as a carpenter while she was a busy homemaker. Patty was an amazing cook who was famous for her cloverleaf rolls, which is a recipe that was handed down from her mother. Between she and her husband, Patty was the disciplinarian, although it was usually pretty easy to talk her out of any punishment. As her children got older, Patty waited up for them when they went out at night, but she was usually asleep by the time they got home. Family meals were shared around a 10 foot long oak table that Pat had bartered for on a building job. Countless meals were eaten around that table, and even their children’s friends recalled sitting there, too. Patty enjoyed going to support her children in all their events and activities. As someone who could be quite vocal, she often led cheers from the bleachers at Kenowa Hills games, much to the dismay of her children at times. In 1968, they purchased a cabin on Nichols Lake in Bitely. Every weekend they packed 12 people into the family wagon and headed North. They made numerous memories there boating, fishing, and swimming. Patty wasn't the fondest of all the work that went into going to the cottage, but she knew Pat and her children enjoyed going there, and she did enjoy visiting with the neighbors.

Throughout her life, Patty was a bustle of activity. For years Patty bowled on Wednesday mornings and she and Pat bowled on a couples league on Sunday nights at Westgate. They often had friends come over to the house after bowling to play cards. To this day her children can still hear “Aunt Jackie’s” laugh. Although she was afraid of the water, Patty and her husband did go on annual canoeing trips. It was fairly common for her to scream that she couldn’t swim if they tipped, but someone just gently reminded her that she only needed to stand up. When her girls were little, Patty did take swimming lessons along with them. Patty enjoyed finding treasures at garage sales, reading romance novels, and going out to eat. In later years when she did get some time to relax, Patty liked watching the Hallmark Channel and Gilmore Girls, and The Sound of Music was her favorite movie.

There was nothing of greater importance to Patty than being with the people she loved. She made it a priority to visit her sister-in-law Kathleen in Missouri as often as she could. Her neighbor of 47 years, Joyce, was like a sister to her and her hairdresser, Kris, was like another daughter. As a family the Scheidels attended Holy Trinity beginning from the time that she and Pat were married, and as the children got older and Patty finally got some spare time, she helped at funeral lunches at the church – often running her own “team”. Patty loved being a grandmother, and as her grandchildren got older she loved playing matchmaker and trying to get them married off. For years, Thursdays were hamburg night, and Sundays always meant a big dinner. Patty was also the one to host all of the family holidays and gatherings – including this past Mother’s Day. Although she was deeply saddened with her husband’s death in 2009, she drew strength from having family close by.

Strong, generous, and faithful with a great sense of humor, Patricia Scheidel was an extraordinary woman to know and love. Deeply loved, she will be forever missed by all who knew and loved her.

Patricia “Patty” Scheidel, aged 87, of Comstock Park, MI, died at her home on May 21, 2015 in the presence of her loving family. She was preceded in death by her husband Ferdinand “Pat”; and son, Louis; grandson, Mitchell; brother, Louis; and sisters, Julie and Maggie. Patty is survived by her children Greg (Linda) Scheidel, David (Elisabeth) Scheidel, Joanne (Francois) Jean, Christine (Keith) Benzin, Brian Scheidel, Matthew Scheidel, Margaret (Bill) Gingrich, Sara (Keith) Hutchens, Sharon (Ted) Belliel; 19 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; brother, Terry (Kathy) DeVriendt; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Patty will be remembered as a loving mother, and for her great sense of humor. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 AM on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1200 Alpine Church Rd. Visitation with her family and friends will be held on Monday from 5-8 PM, with a Vigil Service at 7:30PM, at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW and at the church from 10:00 until the time of the service. Contributions in her memory may be made to Great Lakes Caring Hospice or Holy Trinity Church. Please visit Patty’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can read her lifestory, archive a memory, photo, or sign the guestbook.