Patricia "Pat" Hageman

October 29, 1929 was the beginning of The Great Depression. It was also the beginning of the life of Patricia Vivian Bradley Hageman for the next 91 ¾ years, daughter of Joseph and Evelyn Bradley. Patricia was born in Kalamazoo and passed away at home on July 25, 2021 from complications of Alzheimer’s. Patricia is proceeded in death by her husband Edwin, parents Joseph and Evelyn Bradley, brother John Bradley, two children, John and Kathleen, son-in-law Christopher Renberg and dear friend, Shirley (Kropp) Jones. She is survived by six children, Colleen (George) Schwartz, Susan (Roger) Smith, Jill (Matthew Dickinson) Anderson, Edwin (Kim Porter) Hageman, Cyril (Terri) Hageman, Nell Renberg and her informally adopted daughter Susan Kay (James) Ryan. Survivors also include nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Growing up in a small family, Patricia longed for a large family, and she achieved that goal with eight children (although she wanted 12!) and acted as surrogate mother to many others, welcoming them into the clan. As far as she was concerned there was always room for one more. She and her husband Ed were happy to take in her brother’s three children for two years in the early 1960’s. Growing up during the Depression, Patricia learned to be frugal, which served her well in the raising of so many children on a single paycheck. Their home was always the gathering place for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, or just get-togethers for no reason at all. Once her children were grown, this stay-at-home mom ventured out and started Part 2 of her adult life. She worked as a reporter for the weekly Vicksburg Commercial newspaper covering local news and authoring a column named “Pat’s Pen”. A voracious reader, Pat would rarely be without a book nearby and often rose early to get some reading in before the rest of the family woke. At least three of her daughters picked up her love of reading. Pat volunteered at the Schoolcraft Community Library and was an instrumental part in fundraising and organizing the building of the library in 1990. She also found time to volunteer at the Schoolcraft Senior Center, and as an election night poll worker. Seeking unusual items at garage sales was a favorite activity - once buying a goat for a son-in-law’s birthday. She took a few writing classes at KVCC, which helped develop skills for her subsequent detailing of family histories. Pat and her husband Ed visited many historical sites around the U.S. and spent time researching genealogical information of both their families, often with a grandchild in tow. Memorial Services will be held Friday, August 27, 2021, at 11:00 AM at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Vicksburg MI. Family will receive friends at 10:00 AM until the service. Cremation has taken place. Patricia’s final resting place will be with her husband Edwin at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or Residential Opportunities, Inc. While visiting Pat's tribute page please take a moment to light a candle or share a memory with the family. The Hageman family is being assisted by Avink Funeral Home and Cremation Society, 129 S. Grand Street, Schoolcraft, MI 49087. 269-679-5622.