Patricia Anne (Classon) Gerow-Hallquist, born on January 11, 1935, former resident of Grand Ledge, Michigan and Big Rapids, Michigan passed away peacefully on November 10, 2021 in Franklin, Massachusetts.
Patricia is survived by her four children; Kristin Hogan of Franklin, MA, Steven (Anne) Brutosky of Madison, WI, Scott (Lilly) Brutosky of Fond Du Lac, WI and Susan (Mark) Kettner of Jackson, MI. Grandchildren; Owen Welsh (Trisha Scott), Trisha Ludwig (Jordan), Tyler Hogan, Hailee Hogan, Shelby Hogan, Avery Brutosky, Carter Brutosky, Jessica Staggs (Nick), Joseph Atkinson and Katie (Kyle) Postmus and Kassidy (Courtney) Kettner. Great Grandchildren; Holden, Kohler, Ronan and Briar Ludwig; Madeline and Owen Gerald Welsh; Kaiden and Jamie Staggs; Jack Postmus.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Florence and Arnold Classon of Big Rapids, MI; her sister Sally Loviska of Big Rapids, MI; her second husband Gerald (Jerry) Gerow of Grand Ledge, MI; third husband Nils (Gus) Hallquist of Brockton, MA; beloved cousin Ardith Smith of Big Rapids, MI; favorite son-in-law Jim Hogan of Franklin, MA.
Patricia graduated from Big Rapids High School and attended Ferris State College where she was on the Homecoming Court in 1954. She loved fashion and never left home without first applying her lipstick. She retired from her work at Waverly Public Schools as an administration assistant for Special Education in 1994 where she met her lifelong friend Joanne Katherine. Patricia was a life-long learner and was always reading. She loved history, travel and taking academic and cooking classes. Patricia was also a lover of animals and spent time as a docent at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, MI.
Patricia was a trail blazer. She lived all over the United States after leaving her hometown of Big Rapids, MI. For her time, Patti was an adventurer and traveled to five continents. She put her family first and always pushed them to go further, never settling in the pursuit of their dreams. Her passion for adventure is seen through not just her life, but also the life of her children and their many accomplishments.
In 2004, she moved with her daughter’s family to Franklin, MA, where she married Gus in 2007. Together they traveled extensively in Western Europe and Scandinavia. Patricia and Gus were active in their local community at the Villages at Oak Hill. She was proud of her Swedish ancestry and encouraged her children and grandchildren to connect to their Swedish cousins.
Above all, Patricia loved her family, her four children, the many grandchildren and her nine great grandchildren. She was an “independent woman” and she encouraged all her girls to be too. She will be greatly missed.
Patricia’s family is grateful for the wonderful care given to her by her care team at Dana Farber Cancer Institute throughout her battle with Merkel Cell Carcinoma (Skin Cancer). Thank you to Lisa at Compassionate Care Hospice of Woburn and Chrisla Saint-Fleur from Home Comfort Care for their kindness.
Services will be held in Michigan early summer 2022.
In lieu of flowers donations can be given in her memory to Dana Farber at the following link - Dana Farber