On Thursday, October 22, 2020, our
beautiful Mom and Grandma Pat passed to her eternal home in Heaven
whereas faith has it she was embraced by her savior, Jesus.
Patricia Kay was born in Great Bend,
Kansas on October 11, 1938, to Dorothy E. (Bruntzel) and John T. Darcey.
She was the eldest sister to her loving siblings Deanna and Johnny. Pat
graduated from Radium High School in 1956 and then pursued education at
the Dominican School of Nursing, although her career path later revealed
a love of and natural talent for interior design. On November 17,
1956, Pat was set up on a blind date to Joseph G. “Joe” Englert at his
sister Millie’s wedding. Pat and Joe’s courtship began! When Joe was
stationed out for military duties, he proposed to Pat through a love
letter sent via the postal system, complete with her engagement ring
enclosed! A September 7, 1957 marriage union in Seward, KS. at St.
Francis Xavier Catholic Church followed. The couple loved and grew a
family of four children. In God’s providence, eleven grandchildren and
five great grandchildren all became part of Pat’s world to love.
For 52 years Pat and Joe celebrated
married life until Joe’s passing on August 4, 2009. Pat lived most of
her life in Hays, Kansas, where she and Joe both contributed through
careers and volunteer work for their community. Pat’s interests
included CCD teacher for Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church,
member of The Daughters of Isabella, retail store owner of Something
Special Gift and Décor, showroom owner of Interiors by Pat, BID advisory
board member, Hays Chamber of Commerce member, founder of Hays Bosom
Buddies Cancer Support Group, support work toward the Knights of
Columbus and Kansas National Guard, which her husband was member of
both, arts and environment volunteer decorator for St. Francis Catholic
Church in Munjor, volunteer seasonal decorating at Centennial Towers,
which she loved doing and where she lived her final five years, and
member of St. Francis Catholic Church. In her later years, she
immersed herself in the hobby of painting tea towels, donating many to
varied charitable organizations and to friends and her grandchildren.
She loved all things creative, didn’t know a stranger, and had the
kindest heart to all!
She is survived by her sister: Deanna (Ed)
Johnson, her brother: John Darcey, three children: Daniel Joseph
Englert (Patty) of Belton, MO, Darcy Ann Mendenhall (Scott) of Platte
City, MO, Theresa Marie Corbeille of Rochester, MI, her grandchildren:
Jason (Meagan) Englert, Jared Englert, Scott Englert, Kyle (Cecily) and
Connor Mendenhall, Cate Corbeille, Abby (Ryan Michael) Pfeifer, Ryan Joe
(Polly) Pfeifer, Anna Pfeifer, Isabelle Pfeifer, Miranda (Tim) Abate,
and Devin (Brittany) Engelhardt, her great grandchildren: Bailey
Englert, Caleb Englert, Eloise Mendenhall, Ella Pfeifer, Liam Pfeifer,
Olyvia Engelhardt, Thomas Abate, Gianna Abate, Cale Engelhardt, and
Adalynn Engelhardt.
Pat was preceded in death by her husband Joe, a daughter: Rosemary Kay Englert-Pfeifer, a granddaughter: Victoria Rose Pfeifer, her parents, brothers-in-law: John, Edward, and Leonard Englert, and Leonard Heeke, sisters-in-law: Esmerelda Darcey, Georgia Englert, Mary Englert, and Ann Heeke, and nieces: Denise Johnson-George and Esther Rose McMurtrie.
Pat’s family wishes to acknowledge and
thank HaysMed for their utmost care given for the 30 days Pat was
hospitalized till her passing, including ICU, Acute Care, hospital
doctors, food and cleaning service, and all other departments that gave
professional and compassionate care.
Due to the current Covid pandemic, the family has opted for a Catholic, private family service at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home on Saturday, October 24, 2020. A springtime Catholic funeral and burial will be scheduled and announced. Memorials are suggested to St. Francis Church or to St. Nicholas of Myra Church. Condolences and memories of Pat may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com