Patricia "Pat" M. Berens

Patricia M. Berens, affectionately known as Pat, passed away on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at the age of 96. Born August 14, 1929 in Grand Ledge to Alfred and Doris (Richards) Hosey, Pat graduated from Grand Ledge High School and attended Michigan State University and Wayne State University. She married Dr. Burdette (Bud) Berens on November 5, 1955. Pat and Bud left Lansing for Kalkaska and built their home on Log Lake in 1963 where Bud was a local physician and Pat raised their 4 children. Following Bud’s death in 1971, Pat began the task of working and parenting alone, which she handled with grace and good humor. Eventually Pat remarried to Ray Nelson in 1995 and was again widowed in 2000. Pat was welcomed into the Nelson family and enjoyed being a part of Ray’s children and grandchildren’s lives. During the mid-70’s, Pat had a blessed encounter with Judy Forwerck at Northland in Kalkaska, who told her of a job opening within the local school system. After taking an accelerated three-month curriculum at WSU in Detroit, she became a certified hearing specialist. Pat moved to Traverse City in 1988, gained an additional certification as a vision specialist, ultimately retiring at the age of 85 with a perfect attendance commendation for all 35 years of service. She loved working with the children, and after long drives through many counties, was known to occasionally treat herself to an ice cream cone at the end of the day. Pat enjoyed Scrabble games, whether it was at the Traverse City Senior Center or with her friend Joe at her home. She was always on the lookout for cardinals, and loved her granddaughters Brianna, Lily, and Caroline. Pat is survived by her children Steve (Marlene) Berens, Susan (Mark) Swinford, Scott Berens, Mark (Kate) Berens, her granddaughters, and sisters Marjorie Evarian and Kathleen (Katy) Theodorski, and many nieces and nephews and their children. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Burdette (Bud) Berens; her second husband Raymond (Ray) Nelson; siblings, Joyce Hosey, Mary Pratt, Linda McClure, Teresa Gorman, and Keith Hosey; sister-in-law, Joan Hosey, and brothers-in-law, Barton Evarian, Charles Gorman, Ron (Sam) Theodorski, and Paul McClure. A Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 pm on Friday, October 24, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1003 S. Maple St., Traverse City. A Funeral Service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025, with visitation preceding at 10:00 a.m., also at Trinity Lutheran Church. A luncheon will follow. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Kalkaska. Memorial contributions may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Pat’s honor. To leave a message for the family, please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Patricia "Pat" M. Berens

August 14, 1929 - October 14, 2025