Patricia Smetana

Patricia Marie Smetana, age 92, of Portage, MI passed away on Wednesday January 3, 2018 at Rose Arbor Hospice. Pat was born August 5, 1925 in Grand Rapids, MI to Francis X. and Marie (Mergener) Burns. Pat received bachelor and master degrees from the University of Michigan in social work and education. She taught in Ferndale, MI and was an administrator for Grand Rapids Public Schools before marrying William R. (Bud) Smetana and moving to Chicago. Pat and Bud later moved to Michigan and bought Howard Printing in 1981. Pat was predeceased by her husband and older brother, Robert Burns. She is survived by one daughter, Patricia E., two sons, Michael and William F., and their spouses; Thomas Krol, Brenda (Depweg) Smetana and Lori Smetana; and two grandchildren, Matthew and Beatrice Smetana. A special "thank you" goes out from the Smetana family to Sheri Roby who tenderly assisted our mother during the last five years of her life. Pat will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother. While raising three children, she was an accomplished seamstress, gourmet cook and worked part-time as a reading tutor for many elementary-age ESL students. As an empty-nester, Pat became the manager of Probasco's Drapery Store. After retiring from that position, she took up hand bookbinding and knitting. Hundreds of knitted scarves and hats are still warming residents throughout Kalamazoo County, compliments of her donations to St. Vincent DePaul and other nonprofits. Pat was a member of St. Monica Catholic Church. Family and friends will be received 5-8 pm Monday January 8, 2018 at Redmond Funeral Home, Kalamazoo. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 am Tuesday at St. Monica Catholic Church. Fr. Robert Consani Celebrant. Pat will join her husband, Bud, and be interned at Ft. Custer National Cemetery, Augusta. The family requests donations made to St. Monica Catholic Church, 4408 S. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49008.