Shirley Berniece Patt (nee Kolka), 88, of Wauwatosa, WI has died after a long siege of Alzheimer’s disease, at Elaine’s Hope, the memory care refuge of The Lutheran Home in Wauwatosa, WI. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Rev. Richard W. Patt, and their children, Rachel Ann (James) Moseley of Duluth, MN. and Paul Richard (Peggy) Patt of Northbrook, IL. Further survivors are six grandchildren, Daniel (Ashley) Moseley and David (Olivia Helmer, fiancee) Moseley of Duluth; Sarah (Eric) Petersen of Chandler, AZ; Jordan (Alina) Patt of Midlothian, TX; and Greta and Tyler Patt of Milwaukee. Four great-grandchildren also survive: Oliver, Jack, and Levi Moseley of Duluth; and Carter Petersen of Chandler, AZ. plus many nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends. Her surviving sister-in-law is Patricia Ann Littaritz of Pewaukee. Shirley’s deceased parents are Clarence and Lillian Kolka.
Shirley joyfully joined her husband in the Lutheran ministry at Ft. Worth, TX, Toledo, OH, Milwaukee (Sherman Park Lutheran Church), Des Plaines, IL, and Tucson, AZ. Shirley had a beautiful soprano singing voice and sang in church choirs, including The Lutheran A Cappella Choir of Milwaukee and the chancel choir of Sherman Park church. She was a long-time member of The Harmony Singers of Wauwatosa. For decades she was a dedicated Sunday School teacher, and served terms as president of the Milwaukee chapter of the Valparaiso University Guild.
The funeral service will be held on Saturday. October 28, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 100th & W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, 53226, with Senior Pastor, Rev. Andrew Steinke, worship leader. The family will greet attendees in the church lobby after the 1 o’clock service. Instead of flowers please consider memorial gifts to The Lutheran Home Memory Care, 7500 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, WI 53213 or Our Redeemer church. The Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Home in Wauwatosa is serving the family.
