Patricia Ann Kullenberg

KULLENBERG, Patricia W. Of Kalamazoo, Michigan Patricia Kullenberg passed away on January 20, 2010, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, with her family at her side. Patricia was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on July 23, 1933. She grew up in Tulsa, graduated from Tulsa Central High School in 1951, and completed one year at the University of Tulsa before she was married to Roger D. Kullenberg, of Benton Harbor, Michigan, on October 4, 1952. Patricia is survived by her husband Roger, of Kalamazoo, and her three daughters, Laura Kullenberg, of Pristina, Kosovo, who is an Operations Officer for the World Bank, Ann Kullenberg, of Frankfort, Michigan, who teaches mathematics at the Interlochen Arts Academy in northern Michigan and Amy Kullenberg, of Dowagiac, Michigan, who is an attorney with the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. Patricia is also survived by two brothers, Alex R. Wilson (Helen) of Tulsa, OK, and Leroy Wilson of Sarasota, FL; one sister, Grace Gamble of Norman, OK and many beloved nieces and nephews. Patricia was predeceased by her sister, Cora Mae Ogilvie of Huntington Beach, California and by her son-in-law, Quentin Sherwood of Frankfort, Michigan. Patricia and Roger both were long affiliated with the Kalamazoo Gazette. Patricia managed the Gazette's Credit Union from the mid-1960s until 1983, when Roger left his position as editorial page editor with the Gazette to become managing editor of the Muskegon Chronicle. While in Muskegon, Patricia participated in community and voluntary activities, patronized the arts, and made many dear friends. She and Roger also were avid hockey fans, both in Muskegon and Kalamazoo. While in Muskegon, Patricia and Roger lived near Lake Michigan, where Patricia especially enjoyed watching summer sunsets and the annual Tall Ship Festival. In 1988, Patricia and Roger returned to Kalamazoo when Roger was appointed to become assistant to the publisher for the Kalamazoo Gazette. After their return to Kalamazoo, Patricia and Roger began what was one of the happiest periods of their lives - traveling throughout the U.S. and abroad, beginning with a trip to visit their daughter Laura in Ethiopia in 1989. Patricia and Roger subsequently visited all of the major countries in Europe, and made two trips to New Zealand and Australia. Patricia was particularly fond of Italy. When not traveling, Patricia enjoyed crosswords, opera, hockey, and gardening. Patricia was also an avid bridge player and spent many years playing in marathon leagues with her bridge partner and dear friend, Beverlee White of Kalamazoo. Patricia was a loving, devoted and loyal wife, and a wonderful mother. She was witty, curious, and compassionate. She had an uncanny radar where her daughters were concerned, which was matched only by her keen interest and awareness of world events. A memorial service will be held on Friday January 29, 2010, at 4:00 PM at the Park Club (South and Rose Streets) in downtown Kalamazoo, with a reception following. Arrangements for cremation have been made by the Avink Funeral Home of Schoolcraft. Interment will be at the Mountain Home Cemetery in Kalamazoo. An online memorial has been established at www.avinkcremation.com. MEMORIAL / TRIBUTE DONATIONS MAY BE MADE IN HONOR OF PATRICIA KULLENBERG TO THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS: (1) World Wildlife Fund • Main Page: http://www.worldwildlife.org • Adopt a Species Program at http://www.worldwildlife.org/ogc/index.cfm?sc=AWY1000WC901 and • Tribute Donations https://secure.worldwildlife.org/forms/2.0/support_wwf.cfm?fm=H and • Memorial Donations https://secure.worldwildlife.org/forms/2.0/support_wwf.cfm?fm=M (2) The Nature Conservancy • Main Page http://www.nature.org/ • Gift and Estate Planning http://www.giftplanning.nature.org/ • Tribute Giving http://my.nature.org/donate/tribute-giving.html • Memorial Giving https://support.nature.org/site/Donation2?df_id=5560&5560.donation=form1