Patricia Johnson Dutmers

TRAVERSE CITY – Patricia Johnson Dutmers, 95, of Glen Lake and Traverse City, died peacefully on Thursday, May 19, 2016 at her home in Traverse City. She and her twin brother Cornelius were born on April 25, 1921 in Empire to the late Sarah (Dunn) and George Johnson. Pat enjoyed her time growing up in Empire, especially the summer months when her family would move to her grandparent’s farm on Glen Lake. There she and her brothers would spend time swimming, horseback riding and helping with daily chores at the family resort. Pat attended high school in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin at Saint Mary’s Academy. She attended Michigan State University where she became a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, creating life long friends and memories. Between, and sometimes beyond, the Coral Gables in East Lansing and the Glen Arbor town hall, she danced a “thousand miles” during her college years. She met James “Jay” Dutmers in 1941 and they were married at Dunn’s Farm on February 14, 1942. Pat and Jay moved to Grand Rapids where they began a family, welcoming sons James and Thomas and where they continued to build an ever expanding circle of cherished friends. Pat and Jay moved to Traverse City in 1961 when Jay became president of Empire National Bank. In keeping with their warm and engaging personalities, Pat and Jay continued to make and keep endearing friendships in Traverse City and Glen Lake. Whether it was a Knife and Fork Club dinner, a special night spent with dear friends on Timberlane Drive, or a holiday with family and friends at Dunn’s Farm, Pat and Jay never left a party early. After Jay’s death in 1988, she continued on with a singular grace and passion for life that had a lasting impact on all those she welcomed into her life. As Pat was fond of saying in her later years, “When it’s time for me to go, nobody’s going to owe me any laughs.” Pat was active and involved with many civic organizations including Interlochen Public Radio, The Dennos Museum and Mary Freebed Rehabilitation Hospital. Surviving Pat are her children Jim (Sue) and Tom (Monica), grandchildren Tim (Jen), Chad (Macaire) and Molly and great grandchildren Maggie, Artie, Emma, Gus and JJ. Also surviving are many beloved nieces, nephews, great and grand nieces and nephews who knew her as a gregarious matriarch that led a life filled with generosity, grace, curiosity and laughter. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jay, her brothers, James and Cornelius, sisters-in-law Nancy, Mary Ann, Nancy, Helen Morrissey and brother-in-law Bill Morrissey, her parents, Sarah and George, mother-in-law Helen Dutmers and many friends from the Greatest Generation. A heartfelt thank you to the compassionate care givers with Just Like Family, who treated Pat with love and respect. Visitation will be held from 4:30-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 9 at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. A Funeral mass will be held on Friday, June 10, at Immaculate Conception Church at 11:00 a.m. Father Theodore Munz, SJ will officiate. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Pat’s name to The Father Fred Foundation, 826 Hastings Street, Traverse City, MI 49686, The Glen Lake Preservation Fund, P.O. Box 551, Glen Arbor, MI 49636 or Interlochen Public Radio, P.O. Box 199, Interlochen, MI 49643.

Patricia Johnson Dutmers

April 25, 1921 - May 19, 2016