Veronica Virginia Patoprsty

Veronica Virginia (Sivak) Patoprsty, age 94, died early on February 17th, 2024 at her apartment at the Willows of Okemos, Michigan. She had developed pneumonia a few weeks earlier, and her family surrounded her as her health declined. She is survived by her 6 children: Ann & Dave Pohl of Bloomfield Hills MI, Bobbi (Barbara) & Sigma Alpha of Grand Junction CO, Steve (Stephan F.) & Jennifer (Lahue) Patoprsty of Vienna Austria, Sally & Rick Dishaw of Milford MI, Jean & Scott Jorgensen of Williamston MI, Amy & Bill Hutchison of Holland MI. Grandchildren: David & Alyssa (Vermeulen) Pohl of East Lansing MI, Susie Pohl of Nashville, TN, Kauai (Alpha) & Adam Fitt of Grand Junction CO, Cambria & Garrett Alpha-Cobb of Boston MA, Carmel (Alpha) & Darrel Wilde of Denver, CO, Joseph Patoprsty of Austin TX, Patrick & Kelly (Dykstra) Dishaw of Grandville MI, Alex Dishaw of Monroe, MI, Daniel Jorgensen of Brighton, MI, Michael Jorgensen of Crestview FL, Stephanie Schouman of Portland OR, Laura Schouman of Ann Arbor MI. Great grandchildren: Ouray and Healy Fitt, Lincoln and Andrew Alpha-Cobb, Margot and Blair Pohl, and Otto Wilde.

She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Frances (Patoprsty) Birchmeier of New Lothrup, MI, beloved nieces and nephews, as well as several relatives in the Bratislava area of Slovakia.

She was preceded in death by her adoring husband, Stephan (Steve), her parents, Stephen and Veronica Sivak, her siblings, Rose, Julius, John, Stephen, Paul, Charlie, and Margaret, and her granddaughter, Kathryn Grace Jorgensen.

On September 11, 1929, Veronica (known as Ronnie to all) was born in Oakley, MI, on the family farm. As the 7th of 8 children, she learned to be strong, but flexible, kind, and caring. The farm also taught her about hard work, determination, and her eternal love of gardening, which stayed with her throughout her life. She attended the two-room school house in Oakley, where she skipped the first grade. She attended high school at St. Paul’s in Owosso. At that time, she lived with her sister-in-law, Mary, and helped her raise her two nieces, while her brother, Julius, was in the military. After high school, she studied literature at Sienna Heights College. Her father’s death required her to return home to help on the farm.

Soon afterwards, Ronnie’s friend, Frances, introduced her to her brother, Steve Patoprsty, at a polka dance. Ronnie & Steve were married in her family church, St. Michael’s, on September 30, 1950 (after she turned 21). Their first three children were born in Owosso. They moved the family to Mishawaka, IN, where they built their first home. Two more beautiful & amazing children where born there. Steve’s career brought him to Grand Rapids, MI, so he commuted at first, leaving his lovely, Ronnie to raise 5 children WITHOUT car, from Monday thru Friday! Eventually, the family joined Steve in Grand Rapids, and another baby was born there. Soon afterwards, they left their happy neighborhood, as Steve’s new job took them to Muskegon, MI.

During the 3 wonderful decades in Muskegon, besides raising children, Ronnie grew more involved with the St. Francis de Sales Church choir, Women’s Guild and friendly Bridge clubs. After retirement, Ronnie & Steve moved to the Okemos area. There, she helped organize a Senior group (50 Uppers) at St. Martha’s Church of Okemos, and continued her involvement with choir, CCW, bible study, gardening, quilting and grandchildren..

Ronnie was extremely proud of being a Slovak American and served as branch vice-president for the Jednota, a national Catholic Slovak organization.

Over the years, Ronnie & Steve made many strong and long-lasting friendships. Please join us in the celebration of Family and Friends this weekend.

Friday, February 23, 2024 3:00pm – 7:00 pm Visitation @ Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes 1730 E. Grand River Ave. E. Lansing MI 48823. A rosary service will begin at 6 pm.

Saturday, February 24 10:00 am – 11:00 am Visitation @ St. Martha’s Catholic Church 1100 W Grand River Ave Okemos, MI 48864.

The Funeral Mass will begin at 11am with Father Michael Murray officiating.

Light refreshments will be served, afterwards @ a nearby hall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lansing, 1020 S. Washington Ave., Lansing, MI 48910, Compassus Hospice, 801 S. Waverly Rd., #200, Lansing, MI 48917 or Haven House, 121 Whitehills Dr., East Lansing, MI 48823.