Patricia Mosher

Patricia A. Mosher was a natural leader, with her charismatic personality and keen business sense; she was able to enjoy successful business careers. She would put her heart and soul into everything she did, especially when it came to being a caring and devoted mother to her beloved children.The year 1940 was a significant year in world history. As Winston Churchill became Prime Minister of Great Britain, the world watched in fear while Hitler invaded Denmark, the Netherlands, Luxemburg, Belgium, and France. Meanwhile, back in the U.S., President Roosevelt led the nation, while Americans were enjoying their first McDonald's hamburgers in Pasadena, California. Despite all of the excitement of the year, for Francis M. Sr. and Anna (Krieder) Horning of Sturgis, Michigan, the most important event of 1940 was the November 24th birth of their daughter Patricia Ann.The second of six children growing up in a small town, Pat was given a lot of responsibility at a young age, and she rose to the challenge. While both parents worked to support the family, Pat would watch the younger children. This was the perfect job for Pat; early on she emerged as a natural leader to her siblings. Pat's leadership skills prepared her for a successful career. At Sturgis High School, she mastered the clarinet in the schools marching band. When she wasn't creating music for high school football games, she could be found on stage in various school plays and musicals. Pat was very intelligent and well informed, so she had no trouble holding her own in a conversation. Her articulate speaking ability soon led her to a successful spot on the school's forensic team. Although Pat was very busy in school, she still made time to spend with her friends. A social young woman, it was not long before she caught the eye of M.O. "Cork" Kirkpatrick Jr.. By their senior year the couple started dating, and following her graduation in 1958, they were married on Valentines Day 1959. While Pat's career was taking off, her hard work in the insurance industry inspired her to open her own office in Sturgis.With a new husband and a successful career, it seemed that life could not possibly get better for Pat. That is until July 15th, 1963, when she gave birth to her son Michael. Though Pat would enjoy many happy times in her life, for her, her son's birth became her greatest day. A loving person, Pat was totally devoted to Mike, and she thoroughly enjoyed every moment she was able to spend playing and having fun with him. However, she also had a stern side that she used to keep Mike in line and create stability for him. Gushing with pride, Pat attended all of Mike's sporting events, and did everything possible to give him a well-rounded childhood. Some of the best times she spent with Mike were on the vacations they took as a family. As her sister Janet moved around the country, the family would visit her at each new location, such as California, Colorado, and Florida. Though the family was happy, in the early 1970s Cork and Pat went their separate ways and divorced. Pat was saddened by the divorce, but by the mid 70s she found love again in a man named Ronald Mosher. After a traditional courtship, they eventually wed. Along with a new husband, Pat also gained two children when she married Ron. Although they were her stepchildren, the natural mother in Pat nurtured a bond with the children and soon they had become her own. With a new marriage and a new lease on life, Pat and Ron brought the family to Kalamazoo where they opened a new insurance agency together.

Always looking for an adventure, Pat decided to change careers in the 1980s. After selling the insurance company, she bought a travel agency called Travel Diplomat, which was located in the Kalamazoo International Airport. Later, the company was sold to Navigant International, but Pat stayed on as the Branch Manager. A true workaholic, Pat worked twelve hour days. After coming home from work, she would usually unwind with a good book. Pat was constantly reading anything she could get her hands on including love stories, fiction and mystery novels. When she wasn't reading she could often be found enjoying fine cheese, her favorite food, or playing tennis, a sport she took up in her thirties. As time passes, she would also enjoy spending time in the yard working in her flower gardens. Despite her many activities, she always made time for her favorite pastime, enjoying her grandkids. Family was very important to Pat, and after her parents passed away, she became the social hub of the family. Through Pat the family was able to keep in touch, stay abreast of events in each other's lives, and see each other on a regular basis. Pat loved and cherished her family dearly. After 63 years of life Pat passed away on July 12, 2004.Members of Pat's family include her children: Michael Kirkpatrick and his fiancée Rebecca Belfield of Kansas City; Brian and Nancy Mosher; and Jody and Steven Pyne, all of Kalamazoo. Grand children: Ryan and Steven Pyne; Bailey, Abigail, and Caitlyn Mosher; grand-dogs Anikka and KC. Her sibblings: Francis (Bud) Jr. and Dagne Horning of Mendon; Ronald Horning of Colorado Springs; Mrs. Terry (Susan) Poffenberger of Sturgis; Janet DeYoung of Kalamazoo; and Norman Horning of Sturgis. Aunts: Dorothy Seabold and Georgia Krieder. Nieces and nephews include: Ben, Kim, Aaron, Kyle, Casey, Erika, Kevin, Nicole, Ray, Cinde, Jason, Kristie and Amanda and several cousins. View Pat's Life Story film, and visit with her family and friends Thursday evening from 6-8 pm at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall, & Gren Life Story Funeral Home, Portage Chapel, 5975 Lovers Lane, Portage MI. Life Story funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Friday at the same location. Visit Pat's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read her life story, archive a favorite memory, order flowers or make a memorial donation to the Kalamazoo Humane Society or the American Heart Association.Pat was a woman who treated her family and friends as cherished treasures. She was like a second mother to her nieces and nephews, and her favorite place was sitting among her family in any social setting. Pat was a very caring and generous, especially of herself.