Patricia Alkire

She was born on Nov. 28, 1942, in Toledo, Ohio, a daughter of the late Donald Francis and Helen Catherine (O’Brien) Mcgrath of Toledo.

Pat received her BSN from Mercy College in Detroit, Michigan, in 1964 and her MSN from Wayne State University in Detroit in the mid 1980s.

After moving to Houghton in 1971, Pat was employed as a nursing instructor at Michigan Tech University from 1971-80 and then helped develop the Suomi College Nursing program where she worked until she retired in 1999.

She married Bernard Donald Alkire on May 28, 1966, and they have enjoyed 59 wonderful years together.

Besides her beloved parents, Donald and Helen McGrath, she was also preceded in death by her sisters, Mary Adams, Elizabeth Ann Stevenson, and Margaret Hoffell.

She is survived by her husband, Bernard Alkire; daughters, Theresa (Jeff) Frantti, Linda (Mike Van Bergen) Alkire, and Beth (Matt) Beams; grandchildren, Brian, Emily, Lila, and Leah; a great-grandson, Mikko; sister, Madonna McGrath; a brother-in-law, David Wagner; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A prayer service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, at the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock with Rev. Father Corey Litzner to officiate. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Houghton at 2 p.m.

Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday for an hour before the service.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be directed to the Omega House, 2211 Maureen Lane, Houghton, MI 49931 in Pat’s name.

The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral home in Hancock is assisting with the arrangements. To leave online condolences, please go to www.oneilldennisfh.com.