Patricia Ann Atwood

Patricia Ann (Mittelstadt) Atwood, 92, died on May 20, 2022 at Wesley Willows in Rockford, IL. Pat was born on January 4, 1930 to Elmer and Ruth (Beaver) Mittelstadt. She grew up in Rockford with her dear sister, Carol. She graduated from West High School in 1947 and later from Valparaiso University. After time spent traveling, especially with her dear friend Marge Barrie, she returned to Rockford and began a career in education as an elementary teacher. After starting a family, she was a school librarian, reading specialist, and for a number of years a long-term substitute teacher. Pat loved bumping into former students, always offering support and encouragement.

She married Thomas Atwood on June 13, 1965. Together they lived in New Mexico, New York, Puerto Rico, and Washington, returning to Rockford when Tom left the Air Force in 1973. Truly an “odd couple,” Pat and Tom enjoyed seeing the country from planes, trains, and automobiles. Stories of their adventures, supporting each other’s very different hobbies and interests, are epic. They celebrated 50 years of marriage shortly before Tom’s death in 2015.

Pat will be remembered as an educator,a bowler, bridge aficionado, and a crossword puzzle savant - still throwing out the answers until a few weeks ago despite not being able to read the clues or see the puzzles. A faithful woman of God, Pat taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for years both at St. Matthew Lutheran Church and later at St. Paul Lutheran Church, and was also active in the Ladies Guild. She was a perfectionist, a procrastinator, a conversationalist. Pat had an amazing recall of the small details of so many experiences coupled with a special way of making everyone she met feel at ease and understood.

A loving mother, her daughters Polly (Don) Kahler of Rockford and Diane (Jon) Davis of Valparaiso, IN will miss daily phone calls and waiting for her to finish her coffee or to remember that one last thing on her shopping list. She was so very proud of her five grandchildren: Ross (Kayla) Kahler of Fitchburg, WI; Luke Davis of Grand Rapids, MI; Anna (Linnea) Berry of Holland, MI; Jacob Kahler of Rockford, IL; Tad Davis of Valparaiso, IN. Grandma taught them to love words, love games, love reading, and she kept them wrapped in prayer daily. She is also lovingly remembered by her nieces and nephews, Pat Larson, Doug Grovesteen, Phil Grovesteen, and Sue Beyer.

We would like to thank the staff of Wesley Willows for their compassion and companionship while she resided on the campus for the past 13 years. The entire team - medical, social, and dining - ensured that she was so well cared for as her level of care increased. The family was also supported by Promedica/Heartland Hospice. Memorials can be made to Wesley Willows Employee Christmas Fund.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2022 in St. Paul Lutheran Church, 4881 Kilburn Ave. Rockford, IL 61101 with Pastor Frank Ciprys officiating. Visitation from 9:00 a.m. until time of the service. Private family burial will take place. Send condolences and share memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.

Go in peace with the reassurance you always longed for: “Well done, my good and faithful servant, well done.”