Patricia L. Strother (Braatz) age 79, passed away Sunday, April 5, 2020. She was born on December 18, 1940 to Kenneth W. and Mary L. Braatz in Gary, IN.

Patricia is survived by her husband of 42 years, Charles W. Strother: daughters, Kendall Offutt (Scott) of Chesterton and Krissan Knight (William) of Crown Point; grandchildren, Melinda Ross, Justin Offutt, Carter Offutt, Tyler Knight and Cheyanne Knight; great grandchildren, Theora Ross and Xavier Ross; sisters, Carol Borowski (Timothy), Alysson Braatz and Mary Rumpf (James), and many loving nieces and nephews; best friend of 54 years, Edith Timmerman.

Patricia was a 1958 graduate of Tolleston High School in Gary, IN. She went on to be employed by International Harvester, NIPSCO and for 25 years she worked as a claims taker by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

As a young adult, she was a member of the Gary Diocesan Catholic Young Adults. Patricia had been a parishioner of Nativity of Our Savior Catholic Church since 1965, also a member of the Altar and Rosary Sodality. Patricia enjoyed cross stitching, visiting with friends and spending time with her family on holidays, special family get togethers and shopping sprees with her daughters.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Mary Braatz; her son, Norman C. Ross.

Due to CDC guidelines and the health of our community and family, a private service was held for immediate family at Nativity of Our Savior on Wednesday, April 8th and streamed live on Nativity of Our Savior's Facebook page for viewing. She was laid to rest at Calumet Park Cemetery.

A gathering celebrating Patricia's life will be held at a later date to be determined by her husband and daughters. Funeral services were provided by Rees Olson Chapel in Portage, Indiana.