Patricia A. Flegler

To know Patrica A. (“Pat”) Flegler was to know what the Bible means by “The joy of the Lord is my strength”.   On Tuesday, July 26, 2022, Pat went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and her joy is now both complete and forever full. 
 Pat was born on September 16, 1933 in Parkersburg, West Virginia the daughter of Ralph Grubb and Hazel (Dimmick) Grubb. Like so many others from her generation, her early life was shaped by resolve, perseverance and sacrifice as a result of the consequences of World War II. Rationing, price controls, and shortages of everything were part of her daily life.  Pat spent much of her childhood in the care of loving Aunts and Uncles whom she often entertained with her singing and dancing. Pat never knew a stranger and even as a child she had a gift for engaging people in conversations and storytelling.
 Pat’s life changed when her mother married Francis Marian Ford.   The small family left West Virginia as Ford’s role as a T-Man for the Department of the Treasury required that they move on a regular basis.  Pat lived in a number of places along the Ohio River Valley and the family soon found themselves in Chicago, Illinois where Pat spent her preteen years.  Eventually Ford moved them to Oshkosh seeking more stability for Pat in her teen years and she graduated from Oshkosh High School.
 As an eighteen year-old bride, Pat married Maney Flegler in 1952. Together they built a life of security and strong family values for themselves and their six children.  The house on Buchanan Street in Oshkosh remained the family homestead until Pat moved to the Evergreen Community in November 2017.
 Pat, who proudly committed her life to being a homemaker,  is remembered by her family as an exceptional cook who could do incredible things on a shoestring budget. Her Sunday dinners, cabbage biscuits (a.k.a. kraut kuchen), chocolate chip cookies and devil’s food cake were something to be fought over. To help manage expenses she taught herself to sew and spent hours and hours at the sewing machine turning out endless clothes, prom dresses, and costumes galore for her children often staying up until the wee hours of the morning to complete them.  She was avid about her crocheting and her dish cloths remain a prized possession of both family and friends. 
 Pat was an active member of St John’s Lutheran Church where she forged the most important relationship of her life, that with her Lord Jesus. It was at St John’s that lifelong friendships were formed with her Bible study partners and those with whom she volunteered at church. She continued her passion for church-family relationships while attending Four Square Church in Oshkosh where she was blessed to mentor to younger women and their families.  A child never entered that church without being cuddled for a time by Pat. 
 Pat was predeceased by her husband Maney on January 11, 2013.  She is survived by her six children:   Connie (Al) Odell, Kim (Toni) Flegler, Michael Flegler, Victoria (Jim) Morris, Barbara (Mike) Zellmer and Mary Beth (Steve) Leib.  She was the best “Nana” ever to her grandchildren and step-grandchilden and her fingerprints are lovingly and indelibly etched on all their hearts.
 The family would like to heartily thank the doctors, nurses and all other staff at Aurora Medical Center ICU Oshkosh for their expert care, diligence, honesty and empathy during the closing days of Pat’s life.  You were all amazing.  In addition, the family, with great passion, thanks the Evergreen Retirement Community for doing what it takes to truly provide a quality “home and neighborhood” for the past five years allowing Pat the freedom and independence she needed to thrive and live life on her terms.
 A private family celebration of Pat’s life was held on Friday, July 29, 2022 at Lake View Memorial Park Chapel.  Any memorial gifts may be sent to The American Heart Association.  Keep Pat’s memory alive by taking quality time to hug and love on your families and your friends who are like family!