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In Memory

Patricia Kissinger (Brotherson) - Class Of 1948 VIEW PROFILE

Patricia Kissinger (Brotherson)

 

Patricia Kissinger Brotherson 

Sep. 18, 1930 - Apr. 5, 2012

ELKHART - Patricia Kissinger Brotherson ("Pat" to her friends) died April 5, 2012, in Naples, Florida, at age 81. She was born September 18, 1930, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to John M. Kissinger and Kathryn Swain Kissinger.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Richard ("Dick") W. Brotherson; her children, James R. Brotherson (Patty) of Elkhart, Susan M. Swartz (Marshall) of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Nancy B. Banks (John) of Naples, Florida; a brother-in-law, James Hardig of South Bend, Indiana; six grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and a great-grandson; a nephew and seven nieces. Mrs. Brotherson was predeceased by her sister, Sally K. Wilt, her sister-in-law, Mary B. Hardig, and by her parents.

Mrs. Brotherson was an Elkhart community leader for many years. She was President of the Elkhart Community School Corporation Board, President of the Elkhart Public Library Board of Trustees, President of Tri Kappa Sorority, President of P.E.O, and President of Coeur de Cerf (French for "Heart of the Elk," an antique study group), and was an officer of the Indiana School Board Association. She was a former member of the Elcona Country Club.

Mrs. Brotherson grew up in South Bend, Indiana. In her youth, she was an accomplished equestrian, winning horseback riding awards in dressage. She was also an avid sailor, and with her husband-to-be won several regattas, including the 1950 Eagle Lake, Michigan Snipe regatta. She was a member of one of the early classes of South Bend's John Adams High School, where she was a valedictorian of her 1948 graduating class.

After high school, Mrs. Brotherson attended Williams Woods College in Missouri, and then transferred to Indiana University, in Bloomington, where she was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority. Mrs. Brotherson received her Indiana University degree in education.

After her marriage to Dick in 1951, they first lived in South Bend, then Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (while Dick served in the U.S. Navy), Franklin, Indiana, Bloomington, Indiana, and finally, Elkhart, where they moved in 1959. Mrs. Brotherson was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church of Elkhart.

During her years of service to the Elkhart Community School Building Corporation, it built two new elementary schools, renovated North Side Middle School, and added a swimming pool to Elkhart High School. She was involved in fundraising for local charities, and helped organize Tri Kappa's first "Shocking Stocking Review" variety show in the 1960s.

During her service on the Elkhart Public Library board of trustees, the library opened its first branch library at the former Pierre Moran Mall. In later years, Mrs. Brotherson also volunteered as a mentor at Pinewood Elementary School. In 2008, Mrs. Brotherson chaired the 60th reunion of her high school class. At the age of 80, she was presented the Community Leadership Award by the Elkhart Lions Club. Mrs. Brotherson and her husband traveled all over the world, including Europe, Africa and Asia.

Her passion was public education and the importance of well-educated, involved citizens. She urged her family to perform well in school, complete their college degrees, and be active and useful in their communities.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Mrs. Brotherson will be interred at Rice Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Wellfield Botanic Gardens, 100 North Main Street, Elkhart, IN 46514; the Samaritan Health and Living Center, 221 Crawford St., Elkhart, IN 46514; the Elkhart Community Foundation, POB 2932, Elkhart, IN 46515; to the Midwest Museum of American Art, 429 South Main St., Elkhart, IN 46516; or to the local charity of one's choice .

 

04/22/2021 DEC

 

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