Thelma Patricia Craven, age 88, of Liberty, Mo., passed into the Loving Arms of her Creator April 19, 2020. Pat was born November 24, 1931 to Ron and Thelma Gardner in Colorado Springs, Colo. She met Kenneth L. Craven while he was stationed at Fort Carson. After Ken returned from a year in Korea they were married on January 12, 1952 in Colorado Springs, Colo. They were happily married for 68 years and have three children and five grandchildren.
Pat graduated from Palmer High School in 1950 and worked as a clothing salesclerk in Colorado Springs. After marrying Ken, she worked for the Alexander Film Company in distribution preparing films for mailing. The couple moved to Warrensburg, Mo., in 1953 where Pat worked in secretarial positions while Ken finished college. The young family settled in Liberty, Mo., in 1962 where they lived for 58 years. Pat returned to complete her degree in Elementary Education from Central Missouri State University.
Pat taught 2nd and 4th grades at Franklin Elementary School in the Liberty Public School District from 1974-1987. After retiring from teaching school, Pat volunteered with Liberty Hospital Auxiliary, and Meals on Wheels. She was a lifelong member of the Community of Christ Church (RLDS) volunteering in many capacities, held the office of Elder, and served as the Presiding Elder/Pastor of the Norton Heights congregation in Kansas City, Mo., from 2000-2002.
She enjoyed singing, reading, writing poetry, planting flowers, crossword puzzles and sewing. A special delight was making clothes and costumes for her children and grandchildren. As a young woman, she was known for her marksmanship, belonging to the rifle club in high school and as an ice skater having performed at the Broadmoor Ice Rink in Colorado Springs.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ken in December 2019; by her parents, Ron and Thelma Gardner of Colorado Springs; and a brother, Ronald Gardner of Kalispell, Mont.
She is survived by her children, Sharon Diddle (James), Phillip Craven (Kelli), and Misti Mengel (Greg); and grandchildren, Melissa Diddle, Laura Diddle, Aaron Craven, Alex Craven (Tara) and Kaitlyn Craven.
The family would like to especially acknowledge with gratitude the care and kindness of Dr. Burroughs and the staff at Cobblestone Family Health, the compassionate caregivers at The Laurel, Estes House at Norterre, and the staff of Good Shepherd Hospice.
Services will be scheduled at a later date.
Arrangements in care of Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs.
Our Sincere Condolences
My most sincere condolences to the Craven family. Our world could hear and feel a glimpse of Heaven through Pat’s every word and deed. I am blessed to have known her for as long as I did. May God rest comfort upon you while Pat ascends to her awaiting husband and Heavenly Father.
Brian Bellof
Misti and Greg,
We are very sorry for your loss. It is always difficult to lose a Mother. We send our love and prayers your way.
Love you both,
Lou and Lyman Edwards
Misti, Greg and all:
We are so sorry to hear about your Mom!
You are always part of our memories for a long time. I am just thinking of actually many ways and direction we have known your family❣️ Always was a good presence and friendship when seeing your Dad when he worked in Liberty! He attended to a lot of my family there. Misti, loved the words about your Mom….perfect❣️ We will be thinking of you and Greg during this difficult time❣️
God Bless you Love you both and your family❣️
Sharon, Phil and Misti,
So sorry you have to say goodbye to another parent so quickly. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Love to you all.
Vicki Ferdig
My sincere blessings to the family of Pat, your precious Mother. I have so many fond memories of your Mother. She was such a sweet loving and caring person . She has been an inspiration to me for years. I loved your Mother and enjoyed having known her. I am happy that she is at peace now, she deserves so much to be happy. God blessings to all of the family.
Connie Davidson
Misti, I was so very sorry to learn of your Mother’s passing just today. I am so very sorry too, that you have lost both of your parents so close together. My prayer is that God will hold you, and your family in the palm of his hand, and grant you peace and comfort. I know how difficult it is. May Your memories sustain you. My love to Greg as well.
Love, Connie Le Elgan
Hello Cravens Phil, Misti and Sharon,
I am Charlotte Morton, granddaughter to William Neal and May Gardner. I am William Gardner Jr.’s daughter and Sharon Frake is my sister.
For some reason I was thinking of your mom and decided to google to see if she might have passed, and I was so sad to see the obituary for her. We have missed her at the family reunions and we did not have any updated contact information for her or any of you. We have been sending information about the reunions to the old addresses and emails, but with no response. We want to honor your wishes, if you are not interested in the Gardner-Fiske family reunions.
I am so sorry for your loss. My family lost our mother, Viola Jeanne Gardner in January this year. I remember your mom was such a fun person. She always asked us how we were. We have missed her the past years. I am also sorry for the loss of your father in December.
My cousin Charles Gardner is trying to put together a book about the next generation which would be yours and my generation. He may have tried to reach out to you with the information. We would like an update on you all,if you would. Also, Charles would love to have your pages in our family history book he is making. We have a (tentative) reunion planned this summer July 26-29 in Estes Park, CO. It would be awesome if your families were to be represented there. Please contact me at least with some way to reach you. Again, I offer my sympathy at this time. She was a wonderful lady. Her obit. photo is beautiful.
Love, Charlotte Morton.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Sharon, Misti and family. Pat was such a wonderful teacher and saint. She will truly be missed.
Brian Baker
I was so happy to know your mom and remember the love your Mom shared with all. Her sweet smile was a blessing to all and may you always remember your memories of her. Please let me know when her celebration service will be held and my prayers for all of you at this time.
Linda Minthorn