Patricia "Pat" Ann DeYoung

Patricia Ann (Schramke) DeYoung entered into eternal life after a short and valiant battle with cancer on February 20, 2025 at her home in Traverse City with her children by her side. She was born March 25, 1944 in Saginaw, Michigan to John and Frances Schramke. Patricia was the eldest of her three siblings. After graduating from Saginaw High School, she attended Michigan State University where she was set up on a blind date with a dapper young man from Traverse City, Lyle (Bill) DeYoung. They quickly fell in love and were married on May 9, 1964 in Saginaw, Michigan. After Lyle’s graduation from MSU, they moved to Traverse City for Lyle to go into business with his father running DeYoung’s Wallpaper and Paint on Front Street. Pat and Lyle raised four children and were involved in all of their school activities, boating trips, and numerous ski adventures. They were proud that all four of their children followed in their footsteps and carried on the tradition of becoming Michigan State Spartans. When Lyle passed away suddenly in 1992, Patricia ran the family business. It remained a vibrant asset to downtown Traverse City until her retirement in 2009. She was very community minded and was active in the Zonta Club, served as a board member for Traverse City Chamber of Commerce, volunteered with the St. Lucia Doctors Without Borders, Santiago Women’s Club in Florida, The Father Fred Foundation, and hosted numerous exchange students over the years. She deeply loved all her friendships made through the years and enjoyed lunch dates, book clubs, golf leagues (had a hole in one in 2019!), skiing, art and plays. She was known for her flair for fashion, sass, matter-of-fact ways, and laughter that brought joy and humor to all. She was a world traveler with friends and family and treasured all of the places she visited. In 2004, she became reacquainted with Dr. Tom Littlefield, and they enjoyed a beautiful friendship together experiencing many travel destinations and a winter home in The Villages in Florida until his death in 2020. Above all, she loved being a mother and was so excited when she became a grandmother and wanted to be called, “Granny, Grandma or MeMe.” She is survived by her four children: Doug (Maureen) DeYoung of Traverse City, Dawn Gildersleeve of Traverse City, Daryl (Kim) DeYoung of Edwards, CO, and Dana (Paul Amstadt) DeYoung of North Hampton, NH and her five grandchildren: Katherine DeYoung of Chicago, IL, Tyler (Melanie) Gildersleeve of West Allis, WI, Molly DeYoung of Grand Rapids, MI, Megan Gildersleeve of Milwaukee, WI, Alec DeYoung of Edwards, CO and her extended Littlefield family. She is also survived by her sister Mary Ruth Schramke, brother Thomas (Lisa) Schramke, nephew Kalen (Janine Rasey) Schramke, and cousins and relatives across the country. She was looking forward to becoming a great grandma and great aunt in 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Frances Schramke, her husband, Lyle William DeYoung, her in-laws, Lyle S. and Audrey DeYoung, grandson, Aidan Thomas DeYoung, special friend, Dr. Tom Littlefield, and extended family members. Patricia was a devout Catholic and a member of Immaculate Conception Church for 60 years. Her Celebration of Life Mass will be held on Tuesday, June 10 at Immaculate Conception Parish at 11 am with visitation starting at 10 am. A luncheon will follow in the church’s Centennial Hall. Patricia will be laid to rest next to her late husband at Memorial Gardens. Those wishing an expression of sympathy may choose to contribute in Patricia’s memory to the Lyle DeYoung Memorial Scholarship-Grand Traverse Area MSU Alumni Club https://givingto.msu.edu/gift/index.cfm?SID=3447 or The Father Fred Foundation. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Cowell Cancer Center, Munson’s Neurology floor, and Heartland Hospice for their compassionate care throughout her illness. Rest in peace, Mom. We love you!

Patricia "Pat" Ann DeYoung

March 25, 1944 - February 20, 2025