Patricia K. Stressman's Obituary
Patricia Stressman was born in Muskegon, Michigan on December 14,1945, to John E. and Vonia J. (Strait) Rennells. She was the first of eight children for John and Vonia and highly thought of by her younger siblings. She met her soon to be husband in the 11th grade. Patricia married Russell K. Stressman on July 18, 1964, and recently celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary. Russ and Pat have made Fruitport their home for the last sixty years. They raised four children together at their home on Carr Rd. in Fruitport.
Patricia held several jobs throughout her life. She was secretary for several Fruitport Community Schools Administrators to include the Late Gene Randel, and Dr. Dan Bird. After leaving Fruitport Schools she worked as an office manager. Twenty years and three name changes later she retired from Comcast. Not wanting to stay at home she started working at her church. She enjoyed many activities, some of her favorites were puzzles, crosswords, knitting, reading and she collected dolls.
Patricia was a lifelong member of Fruitport Community Church. As a child, she attended the church then named Fruitport Congregational Church, on the corner of Park and 6th in the Village of Fruitport. Many times, she would walk to church on her own so she could sing in the choir. Russell’s mother, Maudie, was the choir director and told Russ that he needed to marry Patricia because he would never find another person better than her. When the new church was built on the corner of Park and 8th the name changed to Fruitport Congregational UCC. Russ and Patricia were the first couple to be married at the newly built church. Patricia has been the secretary, choir director, children’s church coordinator, VBS teacher and any other task the church has needed throughout the years.
Patricia had a servant’s heart; she was on the Fruitport Community School’s Board of Education for more than 25 years. She was proud to have given all four of her children their diplomas at their graduations. She participated in Woman’s Fellowship with her church and is the only person with dual membership in both the Fruitport Lionesses and the Fruitport Lions Club. Russ and Patricia through the years have sponsored nine exchange students in their home. They both also participated in Youth for Christ and made several mission trips as chaperons.
Patricia was determined to become a part of the Fruitport Lionesses and Fruitport Lions Clubs because her grandfather was a charter member & her father was a member. In 2010, she was proud to help install her daughter, Heidi as the fourth generation of her family, into the Fruitport Lions Club. She has participated in multiple events in her years of Lionism, as well as held many roles, to include Club President twice.
Patricia will be missed by her extensive family. She is survived by her husband, Russell Stressman; children, Russell (Nancy) Stressman Jr. of Detroit, MI, Vonia (Scott) Stephens of Munich Germany, Heidi (Rick) Tice of Fruitport, MI and Clayton (Tonya) Stressman also of Fruitport, MI; as well as her aunt, Shirley Baker of Fruitport, MI. Particia will be lovingly remembered by her remaining brothers, Robert Rennells, of Lowell, MI, Kent Rennells of Chathan, MI; sister, Cheryl Jean TenEyck of Sault Ste Marie, MI; brothers-in-law, Cedric (Ann) Stressman of Southaven, MS and Michael (Jan) Stressman of Grand Haven, MI; sisters-in-law, Anita Rennells of Muskegon, MI and Elizabeth Stressman of Rockford, IL.
She was proud of all her children and would tell the hospital staff she had 4 children, 13 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. She wanted her grandchildren mentioned specifically and are as follows: Jennifer (Jay) Hall, Ricky (Henney) Tice, Eunji Pyo, Spenser Stephens, Stuart (Jen) Stephens, Blaine (Kara) Stressman, Brittany (Justin) Allison, Kody (Bree) Kotecki, Syndel Stressman, Brandon Stressman, Christian Stressman, Emily Trumble, and Elaina (Jake) Sloan. Patricia also had many nephews, nieces, great nephews and nieces as well as great – great nephews and nieces.
Patricia was preceded in death by both her parents; brothers, David, John and Bart Rennells; sister, Karen Smith; brothers-in-law, Frederick, Douglas and Steven Stressman, Brad Smith and Dick TenEyck; and sisters-in-law, Lorreta Stressman, Darlene Bigelow and Connie Rennells.
A Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at The Lakes Church/Calvary Christian Schools, 5873 Kendra Rd., Fruitport, MI 49415 with a visitation with the family from 10-12:00 PM. Memorial Contributions in Pat’s honor can be directed to Fruitport Community Church’s ramp program. Arrangements entrusted to The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444. Share memories with the family at www.sytsemafh.com.
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