Patricia Louise DeWitt Herrlein, 82, died peacefully at Silverado, an Alzheimer’s nursing home in Kingwood, Texas, on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014. Her daughter Sara was at her side, along with loving caregivers.
Pat was born June 29, 1932, to James and Hazel DeWitt at the family farm home near Ontario. She attended Johnnycake Grade School, Ontario High School, Minnesota Bible College and the University of Minnesota.
The day after graduating from the university, she married Frank Herrlein of Mitchell, S.D., who was in the service at that time. Pat taught school at Farmington, Minn., and later worked as a librarian in a variety of areas ranging from high schools to colleges to medical libraries during her career. In later years, she worked as a substitute teacher in York, Penn.
While in the service, their son, Frank (Gino), was born in Morocco. After Frank left the service, they returned to the States and lived in Cocoa Beach, Fla., where their daughter, Sara, was born. Frank’s career took the family to many parts of the world, such as Iran, Ireland and Saudi Arabia. In each country, Pat made their house into a home for the family during the years they were there. When the Shah of Iran fell, she packed by candlelight to flee the country with the children, arriving just in time for Christmas in Janesville. Pat and Frank enjoyed spending time with family and friends, vacationing in Ireland, Scotland, England, Spain and Mexico. Ever the traveler, Pat traveled in Russia and Israel while Frank went on an African safari. During the times when they were in the States, they lived in York, Penn.
After retirement, they moved to Houston, Texas, to be closer to their family. In addition to traveling, Pat loved reading, cooking, the theater and caring for her granddaughter.
Pat is survived by her daughter, Sara Herrlein of Dallas, Texas; her granddaughter, Brittany Herrlein of Los Angeles; a sister, Monica (Wayne) Woodard of Janesville; her brothers, John (Inge) DeWitt of Orting, Wash., Michael DeWitt of Tomah, and James (Nancy) DeWitt of Englewood, Fla.; and loving cousins, nieces and nephews and friends throughout the world.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Frank; her son, Gino; her parents, James and Hazel (DeWitt) Marshall; her stepfather and uncle, Sam Marshall; her niece, Tara Woodard; her great-nephew, Adam DeWitt; and several beloved aunts and uncles.
A graveside service and committal will be held for Pat and Frank next summer at Billings Creek Cemetery near Ontario. We will honor the life they shared for more than 53 years.
Pat was a faithful witness and servant of Jesus Christ wherever she lived, teaching Bible lessons to women in her home while in Saudi Arabia. She found great joy and comfort in the words of the Scriptures and in the words of the hymns of her faith, singing them throughout her life and even through her final years.
“Well done, good and faithful servant … Enter into the joy of your Master.” — Matthew 25:21