Obituary for Patricia Jean Ehinger
Patricia (Patti) Jean Hizey Ehinger, 94, known more affectionally as Zelda or Sweet Nana, got her angel wings Saturday, August 21, 2021.
Patti was born in Seattle, Washington November 1, 1926 to Gordon Hizey and Josephine Gertrude Norris. She married, the love of her life, Max Ehinger Jr, December 27, 1947 in Seattle, while he was on leave from the U.S. Navy. She met dad in Omak, Washington in the fourth grade. They would have celebrated 74 years of marriage this December.
She had three children, Pam Kindl (Omak, Wash.), Jerie (Ron) Broze, (Davenport, Wash.), Marcie (Sherrie) Ehinger (Ephrata, Wash.), and special fourth daughter, Lynne (Al) Actsen (Ephrata, Wash.); and numerous grand and great grandchildren. She loved her family!
Over the years, they lived in Everett, Richland and Ephrata. While living in Richland they water-skied the Columbia, it seemed like every night! Taking dinners out, and coming home at dusk, the family would then clean up the boat, ready to go the next night.
Patti worked at the NBC Bank in Richland for many years so her young family could enjoy life together, as a family. Taking their annual two-week summer vacations to Yellowstone, the Oregon Coast, Lake Osoyoos, going to the beach house at Samish Island, or trips to Omak to have some fun with Max’s family.
They moved to Ephrata in August 1968 and mom worked at the PUD for seven years. They met some amazing, fun, adventurous friends who had recently moved to Ephrata.
AND, BOY did they have fun! She boated, water-skied, camped, hosted progressive dinners, numerous birthday parties, card games, New Year parties, cookie exchanges, Red Hat Society ladies, hosting many craft nights in her home, and enjoying life in Ephrata. She was always grateful moving to Ephrata, meeting so many new friends.
An opportunity arose to move to Panama where they made their home for five years, moving back to Ephrata for two years, then off to Guam for two years, and then back to Ephrata. In Panama they met the Rodriguez family, our Panamanian family who is now part of our Ehinger family.
In Panama mom was a learner. She tackled so many classes. She became an excellent seamstress – from sewing western shirts for dad, to moo moo dresses for everyone – belly dancing classes, clay sculpturing, cake decorating and numerous new crafting ideas with her new friends from all around our nation. She even hosted a Panama reunion in Las Vegas, Nev. years after they had moved home. Patti wanted to see all her friends again, another wonderful part of her life, keeping in contact with her friends.
Back in Ephrata, they continued to go boating, traveling, camping, and snowmobiling in Conconully – with her growing family, enjoying the grandkids and great grandkids. She even rode her snowmobile to the top of Mt. Spokane at 80 years old! Go Nana!
Patti enjoyed her gift of life, and she thanked the Good Lord for this. She hosted many wonderful family gatherings, with beautiful tables settings and using her “new found” recipe, she was a fabulous cook and loved to bake. Her decorated cakes and cream pies were delicious! She taught so many people how to quilt, make baby blankets and saying, “it’s easy, you can do it!”
Patti loved the holidays. At Christmas, the “strays” (people who could not be with their families) were always welcomed in her home and they even received a Christmas sock and a present. At Easter time, Patti would place her big white bunny in the window – which she won from the Ephrata Sprouse-Reitz store some 20+ years ago. People to this day look for that bunny each year on C Street.
She needed much care at different times later in her life. Patti was a fighter, and always prayed to God to help her live longer. Patti made people laugh, saying the most quirky things, and asking funny questions, always with love and concern. It was a fun time when Patti was around. She constantly appreciated all the help and was very thankful.
Patti lived in her home these last few years because Marcie and Sherrie were giving of their time, helping her any time of day, and most importantly, caring for Patti with such love. Her family wants to thank Dave and LaNell Warren and Jordan, from Parkway Adult Home Care in Ephrata. They loved Patti too, and took excellent care of her. We also want to thank the wonderful Hospice nurses, bathers, and social workers for their loving care of Patti. Our words cannot express our gratefulness. Everyone who helped or assisted these last few months fell in love with Patti Ehinger.
We all will SEE Patti AGAIN, WHAT A JOY THAT IS, through God’s gift of everlasting life through faith in Jesus Christ. Patti’s family clings to this promise. What a gift – Faith in our Savior!
Patti was preceded in death by her parents; brother Gordon Hizey; and her sister, Jerie (Jaja) Pickering.
The family is hosting a celebration of Patti’s life at 11 a.m. at the Ephrata Cemetery on Saturday, August 28, 2021. A reception will follow at the American Legion Club Post 28, 276 8th Ave. NW in Ephrata.
Please leave a memory or sign their online guestbook at www.scharbachs.com.
Scharbach’s Columbia Funeral Chapel, Quincy, Wash., is assisting the family with arrangements.
Patti was born in Seattle, Washington November 1, 1926 to Gordon Hizey and Josephine Gertrude Norris. She married, the love of her life, Max Ehinger Jr, December 27, 1947 in Seattle, while he was on leave from the U.S. Navy. She met dad in Omak, Washington in the fourth grade. They would have celebrated 74 years of marriage this December.
She had three children, Pam Kindl (Omak, Wash.), Jerie (Ron) Broze, (Davenport, Wash.), Marcie (Sherrie) Ehinger (Ephrata, Wash.), and special fourth daughter, Lynne (Al) Actsen (Ephrata, Wash.); and numerous grand and great grandchildren. She loved her family!
Over the years, they lived in Everett, Richland and Ephrata. While living in Richland they water-skied the Columbia, it seemed like every night! Taking dinners out, and coming home at dusk, the family would then clean up the boat, ready to go the next night.
Patti worked at the NBC Bank in Richland for many years so her young family could enjoy life together, as a family. Taking their annual two-week summer vacations to Yellowstone, the Oregon Coast, Lake Osoyoos, going to the beach house at Samish Island, or trips to Omak to have some fun with Max’s family.
They moved to Ephrata in August 1968 and mom worked at the PUD for seven years. They met some amazing, fun, adventurous friends who had recently moved to Ephrata.
AND, BOY did they have fun! She boated, water-skied, camped, hosted progressive dinners, numerous birthday parties, card games, New Year parties, cookie exchanges, Red Hat Society ladies, hosting many craft nights in her home, and enjoying life in Ephrata. She was always grateful moving to Ephrata, meeting so many new friends.
An opportunity arose to move to Panama where they made their home for five years, moving back to Ephrata for two years, then off to Guam for two years, and then back to Ephrata. In Panama they met the Rodriguez family, our Panamanian family who is now part of our Ehinger family.
In Panama mom was a learner. She tackled so many classes. She became an excellent seamstress – from sewing western shirts for dad, to moo moo dresses for everyone – belly dancing classes, clay sculpturing, cake decorating and numerous new crafting ideas with her new friends from all around our nation. She even hosted a Panama reunion in Las Vegas, Nev. years after they had moved home. Patti wanted to see all her friends again, another wonderful part of her life, keeping in contact with her friends.
Back in Ephrata, they continued to go boating, traveling, camping, and snowmobiling in Conconully – with her growing family, enjoying the grandkids and great grandkids. She even rode her snowmobile to the top of Mt. Spokane at 80 years old! Go Nana!
Patti enjoyed her gift of life, and she thanked the Good Lord for this. She hosted many wonderful family gatherings, with beautiful tables settings and using her “new found” recipe, she was a fabulous cook and loved to bake. Her decorated cakes and cream pies were delicious! She taught so many people how to quilt, make baby blankets and saying, “it’s easy, you can do it!”
Patti loved the holidays. At Christmas, the “strays” (people who could not be with their families) were always welcomed in her home and they even received a Christmas sock and a present. At Easter time, Patti would place her big white bunny in the window – which she won from the Ephrata Sprouse-Reitz store some 20+ years ago. People to this day look for that bunny each year on C Street.
She needed much care at different times later in her life. Patti was a fighter, and always prayed to God to help her live longer. Patti made people laugh, saying the most quirky things, and asking funny questions, always with love and concern. It was a fun time when Patti was around. She constantly appreciated all the help and was very thankful.
Patti lived in her home these last few years because Marcie and Sherrie were giving of their time, helping her any time of day, and most importantly, caring for Patti with such love. Her family wants to thank Dave and LaNell Warren and Jordan, from Parkway Adult Home Care in Ephrata. They loved Patti too, and took excellent care of her. We also want to thank the wonderful Hospice nurses, bathers, and social workers for their loving care of Patti. Our words cannot express our gratefulness. Everyone who helped or assisted these last few months fell in love with Patti Ehinger.
We all will SEE Patti AGAIN, WHAT A JOY THAT IS, through God’s gift of everlasting life through faith in Jesus Christ. Patti’s family clings to this promise. What a gift – Faith in our Savior!
Patti was preceded in death by her parents; brother Gordon Hizey; and her sister, Jerie (Jaja) Pickering.
The family is hosting a celebration of Patti’s life at 11 a.m. at the Ephrata Cemetery on Saturday, August 28, 2021. A reception will follow at the American Legion Club Post 28, 276 8th Ave. NW in Ephrata.
Please leave a memory or sign their online guestbook at www.scharbachs.com.
Scharbach’s Columbia Funeral Chapel, Quincy, Wash., is assisting the family with arrangements.