Granger, IN — Patricia “Pat” Power, 85, of Granger, IN, formerly of Lincoln, IL, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Memorial Hospital with her family by her side.
Pat was born on December 9,1938, in Lincoln, IL, as the second child to Mary and Simon Debelak. She had one brother, Bob, and one sister, Linda. She attended Lincoln Community High School (class of ’57) where she met the love of her life, Stephen Power (class of ’54). After graduation, Pat worked at the State Treasury Department in Springfield, until her marriage to Stephen in 1958. They lived in Peoria, Highland Park and Deerfield, IL, and together they raised seven children. While in Deerfield, Pat worked as a realtor. Despite her children’s many activities, she was an involved member of the Jaycees and Holy Cross Parish.
Retirement took Pat to Granger, IN, where she enjoyed attending Notre Dame Football and Women’s Basketball games. She was a member of Saint Pius X Catholic Church where she counted money, served at funeral luncheons, and delivered meals to the Center for the Homeless. Pat and Steve enjoyed numerous trips visiting family and friends both in the US and abroad. Pat loved to cook and would never allow you to leave hungry or without taking food home.
Pat was married to her husband Steve for 66 years. She appreciated every moment that she could spend with her family. As the family grew, she hosted Christmas at her house with an array of traditions and spearheaded a family weekend every summer. These events meant so much to her and her family. Attending numerous events for grandchildren inspired her to create scrapbooks for each, documenting their life events through high school. This gave her immense joy. To her children, she was a source of wisdom and love. She was an amazing mother and taught them what was important in life: God, family and friends. To her husband, she was his best friend. Pat was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Survivors include her beloved husband; their seven children: Teri (Marty) Riess of Bloomington, IN, Steve (Linda) Power, Jr. of St. Charles, IL, Julie (Jim) Pisani of St. Charles, IL, Greg (Beth) Power of Lexington, KY; Trisha (Steve) Vankoski of Fort Wayne, IN, Suzanne (Pete) Letherman of Granger, IN and Chris (Kristin) Power of Geneva, IL; twenty-one grandchildren: Austin (Caitlin) Power, Katelyn Power, Melissa (Patrick) Reinke, Paige (Pat) Strocchia, Amanda (Ryan) Welage, Anne Pisani, Hans (Becca) Riess, Megan (Jake) Henderson, Mike Vankoski, Faith Power, Ryan Power, Christina Riess, Jacob Power, Kiley Power, Andrew Letherman, Cecilia Letherman, Hailey Power, Patrick Letherman, Sean Power, Reese Power; and four great-grandchildren: Ella Power, Hazel Power, Sophie Reinke, and Isabella Strocchia. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and her granddaughter Grace Letherman.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at Saint Pius X Church, 52553 Fir Road, Granger, IN. Pat will be laid to rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lincoln, IL, at 11:00 am on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Pat’s memory to the Sweet Pea Foundation, www.sweetpeafoundation.org
Local arrangements are entrusted with Peasley Funeral Home of Lincoln. Indiana arrangements were entrusted with Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home in Elkhart, IN.
