KENSINGTON – Patricia Gean (Donovan) Bienhoff was born August 10, 1937 in Kansas City, Ks the daughter of Douglas and Mae (Belcher) Donovan. She passed away August 24, 2018 at Prairie Wind Villa in Phillipsburg, KS at the age of 81.
Pat spent her first years in Kansas City where she finished the first grade. The family moved often after that as her parents began studying for the ministry and teaching. Pat attended eight different schools before graduating from Smith Center High School in 1955. She attended Phillips University in Enid, OK for one year before returning home to Smith County where Pat and Don were married on November 4, 1956 at the Christian Church in Smith Center with her father performing the ceremony. Their Church home the rest of their lives was St John Lutheran Church in Kensington except for a few years during retirement when they lived in Kearney NE and attended Family of Christ Lutheran Church.
Their first child, Teri Lynn, was born in July 1957 with serious physical and mental disabilities. Don and Pat were able to keep her at home with them for three years before her admission to the Kansas Neurological Institute in Topeka, KS in September 1960. That same week their son, Curtis Jay, was born and in April 1962 son, Robert Wayne, was born to complete the family. The Church was their guiding influence through the rest of their lives raising their children and working on the farm.
Besides being a devoted farm wife, Pat was employed by the Kansas Nebraska Gas Company for several years and after that by the State of Kansas in the Family Services Department. She also served as a Conservator for several people while they were in nursing home care. Pats family always came first though. She was a devoted Mother and Grandma and she attended as many of their events as possible.
Pat served the Church in many ways enjoying most providing group music and occasionally a solo. When St John was presented with a set of hand bells, Pat was asked to organize a bell choir and become the first director. She enjoyed this challenge very much. Music was a very important part of her life.
Pat will be greatly missed by those who loved and knew her.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Teri Lynn, Don, husband of 60 years, and sister in law Irene and husband Paul Hilbrink.
Survivors include her son Curtis and wife Natalie of Kensington and son Robert and wife Amy of Kensington. Four grandchildren Kyle and wife Morgan of Kensington, Michaela of Manhattan KS, Deidra and husband Dylan of Kensington, and Blayne and wife Alyssa of Kensington, six great grandchildren Alexis, Barrett, Peyton, Declan, Harbor, and Fynley, and nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins and friends.
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