Pat’s Mother

It saddens me to write this post. We have lost a dear lady, Pat’s mom and my mother-in-law died yesterday at the age of 96. She has been in some declining health since this spring when she had to leave her home and go into a care facility. Within 10 months, I have lost both my own mother and now a lady who I always considered to be a second mom. In this post, I will share a few memories and photos. A small celebration of her life, if you will.

 

Patricia Rasch Little

Born in Minnesota and growing up in Wisconsin, (Mother Little as I know her), met her husband Raymond Little when he was on shore leave at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. They were soon married and after the war moved to be near Ray’s parents in Indiana. They lived in this same area all their lives while raising eight children and a small army of grandchildren and great grandchildren.

They both loved to camp and travel the US in a variety of tents and RVs. They would travel during the summers when they were still working jobs and farming a couple of hundred acres of rich Indiana soil. After retirement they continued with their US travels in a fifth wheel trailer, particularly traveling out west in the mountains. They loved the peace and quiet in the parks away from the crowds.

Patricia had many hobbies including quilting, sewing, making stuffed animals, cooking, making cookies, clogging, swimming, and a few more, I’m sure. She would treasure the years of being a snowbird and travelling down to Pharr, Texas for each winter for maybe six+ years. She would join all of the groups doing the activities above. Pharr is located in the southernmost part of TX, in the Rio Grande Valley.

I’ve known her since 1969 when I first met Pat and on our first date. She would always be there at the door to greet me and make me feel welcome like one of the family. I remember that countless times that we had Sunday dinners or holiday get togethers at their home with most of the local siblings and then their children through the years. Many memories of that special turkey cooking in the oven, the oyster dressing reserved for Ray and me, the scores of fresh cookies premade for the occasion and then the fresh yeast rolls as they emerged from the hot oven.

Having lived to almost 97 years old, she had a very full life, with many passions and a love for all her eight children. The circle of friends that she accumulated over the years is unprecedented from my viewpoint. She would add someone to her friend bank anytime she met someone new by memorizing their names, their children’s names, where they live and other facets including their phone number so that she could keep in touch. She was quite the extrovert, never meeting a stranger.

As would be expected, in her later years living to 96, all those friends from her age group were gone. She missed talking to all the family and friends from that era. Although, her phone directory continued to be added with new acquaintances.

My wife Pat, would talk to her mom every single day on the phone and sometimes multiple times per day. We could almost count on her call at 7:30pm each evening no matter if we were travelling in the RV or where we were, we cherished each call.

We would visit mom usually 2-3 times a year. Pat would spend a week cooking meals for her mother’s freezer after mom’s eyesight had deteriorated. The goal would be enough meals for 4-5 months.

Patricia was a devoted Catholic even taking a weekly communion in her home when her health did not permit easy travel to church. Her strong Christian faith carrier her through her share of adversities during her lifetime, including the loss of two husbands. We can all take comfort in our grief that she is now reunited with those believers that preceded her. Thank you Mother Little for all the love over the years. You will be missed.