Patricia Elenor (Kinsman) Lerche

She was born on March 15, 1940, in Detroit to Elizabeth (Elwood) Tauriainen and Lorne Kinsman. She attended the local schools.

Pat met her first husband, Donald, while he was stationed at Calumet Air Force base and was fortunate to have traveled while Don was enlisted, including overseas in Spain, where their daughter, Ramona, was born.

After Pat met and married the love of her life, Gene in 1988, they enjoyed touring America in their RV.

Pat retired as a nurse aide from Stillwaters in Calumet, and also worked at Calumet Electronics, Enrietti’s and The Bon Ton in Laurium.

Pat and Gene were active with the Salvation Army, singing wherever their camper was parked in either Florida or Michigan.

Pat was an avid musician, and loved to play guitar and sing with others. She played many local venues, including events at Gay, Mohawk, the Calumet Theatre, Misery Bay, Agate Beach, as well as with Jim and Loretta Laplander and Ron Lahti, just to name a few. There are so many happy memories of Pat singing and playing guitar, we can’t list them all.

Having come from a musical family, many great memories were made singing with her step-dad, as well as her children, aunts, uncles, and cousins during jam sessions, and at the Tauriainen family camp in Gay.

She was a member of the Laurium Shining Light church in Laurium, and Post 90 Ladies Auxilary in Lake Linden.

Pat looked forward to getting together with her longtime friends and appreciated the love & laughter. Thanks to all who called & visited (Loie, Sandy, Bev, Elaine & Sue).

Pat and her family are very appreciative of the care given by Dr. Tom for many years.

To Tom, Renee, Maddy, Abby, Mike, Ben and Rose – She’ll always be “Gramma Pat.”

Pat and her family are very grateful for the many years of care with the wonderful staff at UPCAP and At-Home-Companions, and since August 2020, the staff at Portage Pointe.

Pat knew that her “girls” (Brenda, Debbie, Lisa, Rose, Sue, Crystal) loved her as much as she loved them.

Pat was known for being “sassy” and always kept those who visited her on their toes.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Elizabeth and Elwood Tauriainen and Lorne Kinsman; brothers, William & Lorne (Bob) Kinsman; children, Kimberly Hanson & Donald (Geb) Elander; grandchildren, Donald Elander, Jr.; and infant grandsons, Zachary and Samuel Elander.

She is survived by her daughter, Ramona (Mark) Englund of Lake Linden; grandchildren, Christopher (Angie) Elander of Coldwater, Ohio, Adria (jason) Laplander of Hubbell, Aric (Elyssa) Danis of Estero, Florida, Naomilynn (Selena) Elander of Houghton; great grandchildren, Ethan and Lauren Elander, Eliza and Elliana Laplander, Madelyn Puuri and William Momenee, Bleyse Elander; daughter-in-law, Kay Elander of Hancock, son-in-law, Lars Hanson of West Bend, Wisconsin; sister-in-law, Lorraine Elander of Phoenix, Arizona; along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Hopefully, the family can have a local memorial service sometime in the summer of 2021.

Burial will be by Gene’s side – at Gilmore Township Cemetery in Farwell, MI, also, during the summer of 2021.

Online condolences for the family may be left at ericksoncrowleypeterson.com.