Patricia A. Zergoski

Cadillac - Patricia "Pat" Zergoski of Cadillac passed away peacefully at home on December 3, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was 95 years old.

Pat was born on October 24, 1929, to Anna and Walter Horowski in Ludington, Michigan. Her father died soon after her birth. Her mother would go on to marry Rinhold Budde, who adopted her and her older brother Ray and helped raise them along with her two younger sisters, Bernadine, and Betty Ann. Pat grew up on a farm during the Great Depression. She worked helping with the chores that came with life on a farm, growing food and helping to raise her youngest sister. She was a graduate of Manistee High School with the class of 1949. During her high school years, she also worked at the Chippewa Garment Factory. 

In 1950, Pat married Arthur Zergoski in Manistee. The couple moved to Muskegon and began their careers. They relocated to Cadillac in 1953 where they made their present home. They shared sixty-five amazing years of marriage until Arthur’s death in 2015. Patricia worked at a local garment factory prior to being employed with the Cadillac Area Public Schools in Food Service as Cook in Charge for several years, retiring after more than 25 years of service. She enjoyed her conversations with the teachers and especially the students, throughout the years. In her free time, Pat enjoyed crocheting, sewing, and gardening. She loved spending time with her two special grandchildren, family, and friends. She was a faithful member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church for 68 years and a member of St. Michael’s Circle for over 40 years. 

A devoted and beloved mother and grandmother, Pat is survived by son, Kenneth of Cadillac; daughter, Barbara (Kevin) Small of Kentwood; two special grandchildren, Danielle (Ethan) Ryder of Grand Rapids and Katie (Sean) Barton of Kentwood; great-grandson, Charlie Ryder of Grand Rapids; sister, Betty Rankin of Battle Creek; sister-in-law, Elaine Budde of Charlevoix, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many other loving family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Arthur; her parents, Rinhold and Anna Budde; infant son, James; sister, Bernadine Fend; brother, Raymond Budde; sister-in-law, Helen Budde; daughter-in-law, Carla; brothers-in-law, Albert (Sonny) Fend and Dennis Rankin; and nephews, Rory and Delbert Fend, and Thomas Brickley. 

A Memorial Mass will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church. Also at the church on Thursday, December 12th the Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. with visitation to follow until the start of the Mass at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Michael Janowski presiding. Interment will take place in the spring at the Pere Marquette Cemetery in Ludington, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions, in memory of Pat, may be directed to Munson Hospice or the American Diabetes Association. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.Hitesman-Holdship.com The family is being served by the Hitesman-Holdship Funeral Home.  

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