Patrick Gerald O’Strander

Patrick Gerald O’Strander, aged 80 of Grand Rapids, passed away on Sunday, April 10, 2016. Pat, or Ted as he was known to his family, was born to Arthur and Lillian O’Strander on July 2, 1935, the second of five children. He met the love of his life, Phyllis Lenartz, on a blind date, marrying her nine months later. They danced, they laughed, they had a wonderful life for 29 years, until her death from leukemia in 1987. Although he never married again, he had a full and busy life revolving around his work and his family. Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Lillian O’Strander; beloved wife, Phyllis (Lenartz); and brother, Jess O’Strander. He will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his children, Beth (Mike) Kalczuk, Linda (Gene) Wudkewych, Dave (Patty) O’Strander, and Carol (Ron) Huizinga; grandchildren, Tony and Aimee Kalczuk, Kelly, Jill and Dana Wudkewych, Renae, Kaylee and Mikey O’Strander, and Brianna and Devin Huizinga; great grandchild, Jaxon Jacques; brother, Arthur O’Strander; sisters, Patsy (Dave) Hoek and Joan (Tim Childs) Bennett; and Thelma the cat. Pat was a graduate of South High School and attended Davenport College, majoring in accounting.  After working for several companies, he was hired into Steelcase where he retired almost 30 years later.  He also ran Aardvark Income Tax Service for many, many years. He was a great sports fanatic and was a proud (but sometimes frustrated) fan of the Detroit Tigers, Lions, Pistons, and U of M basketball.  He coached women’s softball for 10 years in the Grand Rapids and Wyoming leagues.  He was also the biggest fan of his grandchildren’s sports teams and activities, spending countless hours in the stands cheering them on. Pat was a big believer in education, life-long learning, and hard work.  He would often say “If you won’t invest in yourself, why would anyone else want to?”  He was always learning how to do things like restoring old furniture, playing the guitar, and taking dance lessons.  He was very handy with tools and had a garage full of stuff to support his hobbies.  He restored a Model A car that later won an award.  He also loved going to flea markets and garage sales to find “treasures” to work on. As a proud home-owner in Wyoming, he lived in the same house on Kentfield Street for over 40 years. He loved his yard and always had flowers blooming in the summer.  He was a successful vegetable gardener as well.  For many years, he tended a large garden filled with every type of vegetable.  The unpopular vegetables were always ground up and hidden in our mashed potatoes. The family would like to thank the staff of Samaritas (formerly Maple Creek) for their excellent care, patience, and service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Samaritas Benevolent Fund or Humane Society of West Michigan. The funeral service for Pat will be held on Thursday at 11:00 am at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4646 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Kentwood with Rev. Kevin Baker officiating. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family at the funeral home on Wednesday from 4-7 pm and on Thursday from 10-11 am prior to the service. "You can shed tears that he is gone, or you can smile because he lived.”