Patricia Lee ‘Patty’ Tophinke
Patricia Lee “Patty” Tophinke, 68, of Bowling Green died Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017 at DePaul Hospital in Bridgeton.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10 a.m., Saturday at St. Clement Catholic Church in Bowling Green with the Rev. Jason T. Doke, S.T.L. officiating. Burial was in St. Clement Cemetery.
Visitation was from 4-8 p.m., Friday at Bibb-Veach Funeral Home in Bowling Green.
Patty was born Oct. 16, 1948 in Louisiana, the daughter of John Bill and Nancy Gillum Edwards. She married Mark Christopher Tophinke March 27, 1965 in St. Clement. He preceded her in death March 8, 2006.
Survivors include her children Teresa Suan and husband, Kevin of Waialua, Hawaii, Sharon Tophinke and Frank Kadlec of Louisville, Chris Tophinke and wife, Cheryl of St. Clement, Janet Lewis and son, Michael of Ashley and Julie Tophinke and Matt Mudd of St. Clement; grandchildren, Alexandra Tophinke, Matt Myers, Haley Myers, Kamalei Suan, Tyler Lewis, Morgan Anne Lewis and Nik James Tophinke; great-granddaughter, Alanah Tophinke; grand kitten, Silly Kitty; sisters, Vicki Skirvin of Bowling Green, Joyce Edwards of Bowling Green and Susie Edmond and husband, Rick of Frankford; and special friend, Veronica Brown.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and niece, Christy Edmond.
Patty grew up in Louisiana, moved to Bowling Green in1954 and graduated from Bowling Green High School. Patty married and moved to Ashley where she and Mark raised their children on the family farm.
She was a homemaker and later attended the University of Columbia where she graduated with her master’s degree in special education and early childhood education. Patty taught school locally, retiring from Lillian Schaper School. She also worked many years at Ruth Jensen Village, where she was currently employed.
Over the years Patty enjoyed decorating cakes for weddings and birthdays, making Christmas cookies, baking her famous coconut cream pies as well as cooking in general. Patty enjoyed her regular lunch dates with friends, especially at Bankheads.
Patty was an active member of the St. Clement Catholic Church and also the ladies sodality. In addition she donated many hours to church and school activities. Over the years she was a Girl Scout and 4-H leader, member of the DAR and enjoyed her family genealogy. She was an active member of the Pike County Democratic Club.
In her spare time Patty enjoyed visiting the local nursing homes and spending time with all of her grandchildren as well as traveling extensively since her retirement.
Serving as pallbearers were Marty Moss, Larry Ray Orf, Charles Hopke, Johnny Pietzman, David Tepen and Frank Kadlec. Serving as honorary pallbearers were Randy Niemeyer, Jim Tepen, Bill Schuckenbrock, Allen Salfen and Jeff Kuntz.
Memorials may be made to the St. Clement School Building Fund.
Online condolences may be left at www.bibbveach.com.
