Patricia Ann Voss

Patricia Voss was an exceptionally generous person. A lover of all people, she found great happiness putting the needs of others ahead of her own and lived a lifetime of selflessly giving of her time and resources to those who needed them most. Blessed by her warm spirit and gentle ways, there is no doubt that she will be deeply missed will be fondly remembered by all who knew and loved her. Patsy's story begins in the year of 1940. The effects of the Great Depression were finally beginning to ease, and the nation was optimistic about the future. The entertainment industry was booming with the release of major motion pictures and jazz music on the rise. Eugene fought in WWII. When he returned home, he and Marge began their lives together with their beautiful daughter, Patricia Ann. She brought much joy and happiness to her parents. Patsy lived a typical childhood of the times yet both of her parents worked outside the home. Her mother worked at UpJohn's for majority of her career, then went on to sold real estate, while her father was a local machinist. With both of them hard at work and busy, she was known to skip school on occasion during her younger years. Patsy had a special bond with Eugene "Duke", they always had a good time with each other. He returned home from work earlier than Marge, so she would often come home to the two of them basting music, dancing and cooking together. In high school Patsy was well liked by her classmates and was exceptional at the game of ping pong. During her years attending Portage Central High School, she fell in love with doing hair and started taking classes at the local beauty academy. Not only was she fond of hair, she had also met the man of her dreams, Gale Voss at a softball game when she was sixteen. It wasn't long before the two of them were dating. Wasting no time after graduation, the happy couple joined in marriage in 1958 and began to start a family of their very own. A natural with children, it was no surprise that she and Gale had four children within five years! Busy raising them and keeping up the family home, Patsy kept up her love of cosmetology by working as a hairdresser from their home. Her energetic personality was a perfect match for juggling both motherhood and her career under the same roof. Patsy made their home welcoming and inviting for many years. The kids grew used to the smell of hair dye or perm and the sound of dryers, yet they also loved to have mom shampoo their own hair and give them special hairstyles over the years. While clients were sitting in rollers or waiting for their color to take, Patsy was known to start her work in the kitchen preparing her famous goulash or baked beans. There was always something on the stove simmering as she managed to provide a hot meal for her family while at the same time finishing up with her customers. To make up for some of the lost time she had in the evenings, she let the children bring home pets they favored over the years. She never said no to a stray cat or new puppy, guinea pig, or even snakes! She loved animals and the family even owned horses at one time. Patsy made everyone feel at ease in her presence, despite her busy schedule, she took time to pay special attention to every detail of both her growing children as well as her favorite clients. Hard to believe there was any time for relaxation, yet over the years, Patsy gave equally to her commitment for family time as well as fun! She belonged to a bowling league for years and loved to drive snowmobiles. Once her snowmobile club drove from the Lower Peninsula all the way to Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula, a trip she had never forgotten! The life of the party, everyone could count on her laughter and special antics to make light of any mood. She always had a story to tell or a memory to share and most of the time it included her favorite beverage, a margarita! Casinos were special treats, yet Patsy never grew tired of a Lake Michigan sunset. Trips to nearby South Haven were especially her favorite! When it came time to count her blessings, she always thought of the love from her family. Spending time with her grandkids and being around them were her greatest treasures. Patsy never took a moment with them for granted. They admired her eccentric personality and her unconditional love. Never one to judge, she was often their safe person and the one who listened to their problems as well as shared in their successes. She leaves behind a wonderful legacy of being the most thoughtful and caring person. May they never doubt her steadfast love for each and every one of them. Patricia Ann Voss, of Schoolcraft, Michigan passed away on April 29, 2019 at the age of 79. Pat is survived by her loving husband, Gale; children; Brad (Kory) Voss, Joni Voss, Jeff (Irene) Voss, and Mike (Dee) Voss; grandchildren; Aaron Bolser, Nick Voss, Taylor Wolthuis, Jeffrey Bolser, Camden Zondervan, Jacob Voss, Alex Voss, Austin Voss, Abby Voss, and Brianna Voss; and great-grandchildren; Emma, Clifton, Lillian, Eli, Mason, Maximus, Alexis, Brody, and Zoey. Pat is preceded in death by her parents. Family will receive friends on Saturday, May 4, 2019 from 1pm-3pm with a memorial service following at 3pm at McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes, 5975 Lovers Lane Portage, MI 49002. Please visit Pat's webpage at www.mccowensecord.com where you can sign the guestbook and share a special memory. Those who wish, may make contributions to the charity of their choice. The family is being assisted by McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes, 5975 Lovers Lane Portage, MI 49002 (269-344-5600).