Patricia "Pat" Irene Foldenauer

Curtis

Our beloved sister, aunt, and friend Patricia “Pat” Irene Foldenauer went home to be with her Lord on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at the Schoolcraft Medical Care Facility in Manistique.

Pat was born on March 20,1937 and raised in Howell, Michigan. She was the daughter of the late Robert and Mary Irene (McKeever) Foldenauer. Pat was a graduate of Hartland High School in Hartland, MI. After graduation she went to Sienna College in Adrian, MI to begin her vocation as a Dominican Sister. While there, Pat earned her bachelor’s degree in education and went on to earn her master’s degree from Wayne State University. She served 12 years as a Dominican nun teaching in parochial schools around the Detroit area and in San Juan, Puerto Rico. After leaving the Dominican order, she became an elementary teacher in the Hazel Park School District. She was well known for teaching first graders how to read and write. Pat introduced phonics in her reading program and was instrumental in seeing that phonics became part of the district’s reading curriculum. Her teaching career spanned over 38 years, and she was respected and well known as an excellent teacher who had a positive influence on her students. 

Pat was a kind, fun-loving person who loved her family and friends, who was devoted to her Lord, and faithfully served her church. She loved all animals and adored her dogs. Pat loved to down-hill ski, roller skate, camp, snowshoe, canoe and eat out, particularly if ice cream or sweets were involved. She spent the last 27 years of her life living on Big Manistique Lake in Curtis with her dear friends, Sandi and Joe Kolder. She cherished her time in the UP and being outdoors.

Pat attended Irene’s Myomassology Institute and became a certified massage therapist. She joined the Chrysler Ski Club and traveled with the club to ski out west. Two of the highlights of her life were her trip to Japan and white-water rafting down the Colorado River. For over 20 years she served as a longtime volunteer at the Seney National Wildlife Refuge and served on the board of the Seney Natural History Association (currently called Friends of Seney National Wildlife Refuge). She loved attending plays at the Stratford Festival in Canada with family and friends and she worked behind the scenes on many Erickson Center Productions in Curtis. Pat was also a member of the Red Hat Society. 

 Pat was devoted to her family and friends and will be sorely missed. She is survived by her sister, Teresa (Richard) Johnson and brother, Richard (Lavonne) Foldenauer of Howell, Sandi Kolder and daughters Kim and Karen, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Pat was proceeded in death by her parents, Robert and Irene Foldenauer, sisters, Helen (Jack) Feley, Margaret Foldenauer, brother, Robert (Joann) Foldenauer, and friend Joe Kolder.

Arrangements are being provided by Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising, Michigan. Visitation will be held at Bowerman’s located at 302 E. Superior St. in Munising on Thursday, September 26, 2024 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be held at St John’s Catholic Church (little church) in Howell, Michigan on Friday October 4, 2024 with visitation from 10 a.m. to the time of service at 11:00 a.m., with lunch to follow. Burial will follow at the St. John’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Friends of Seney National Wildlife Refuge (https://friendsofseney.org/donate), the Eva Burrell animal shelter 6091W US Highway 2, Manistique, MI 49854, (shelter@upebas.org) or a charity of your choice.