![\"Thelma](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/pat_craven.jpg\")
Thelma Patricia Craven, age 88, of Liberty, Mo., passed into the Loving Arms of her Creator April 19, 2020.\u00a0 Pat was born November 24, 1931 to Ron and Thelma Gardner in Colorado Springs, Colo.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0 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. \u00a0Pat returned to complete her degree in Elementary Education from Central Missouri State University.<\/p>\n
Pat taught 2nd<\/sup> and 4th<\/sup> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Services will be scheduled at a later date.<\/p>\n Arrangements in care of Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs.<\/p>\n My most sincere condolences to the Craven family. Our world could hear and feel a glimpse of Heaven through Pat\u2019s 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. Misti and Greg, Misti, Greg and all: Sharon, Phil and Misti, My sincere blessings to the family of Pat, your precious Mother. I have so many fond memories of your Mother. She was such\u00a0 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. Misti, I was so very sorry to learn of your Mother\u2019s 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. Hello Cravens Phil, Misti and Sharon, I\u2019m so sorry for your loss, Sharon, Misti and family.\u00a0 Pat was such a wonderful teacher and saint. She will truly be missed. 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.\u00a0 Please let me know when her celebration service will be held and my prayers for all of you at this time.\nOur Sincere Condolences<\/h5>\n
\nBrian Bellof<\/p>\n
\nWe are very sorry for your loss. It is always difficult to lose a Mother. We send our love and prayers your way.
\nLove you both,
\nLou and Lyman Edwards<\/p>\n
\nWe are so sorry to hear about your Mom!
\nYou 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\u2763\ufe0f\u00a0 Always was a good presence and friendship when seeing your Dad when he worked in Liberty!\u00a0 He attended to a lot of my family there. Misti, loved the words about your Mom….perfect\u2763\ufe0f We will be thinking of you and Greg during this difficult time\u2763\ufe0f
\nGod Bless you\u00a0 \u00a0Love you both and your family\u2763\ufe0f<\/p>\n
\nSo sorry you have to say goodbye to another parent so quickly.\u00a0 You are in our thoughts and prayers.\u00a0 Love to you all.
\nVicki Ferdig<\/p>\n
\nConnie Davidson<\/p>\n
\nLove, Connie Le Elgan<\/p>\n
\nI am Charlotte Morton, granddaughter to William Neal and May Gardner.\u00a0 I am William Gardner Jr.’s daughter and Sharon Frake is my sister.
\nFor 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.\u00a0 \u00a0We 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.\u00a0 We want to honor your wishes, if you are not interested in the Gardner-Fiske family reunions.
\nI am so sorry for your loss. My family lost our mother, Viola Jeanne Gardner in January this year.\u00a0 I remember your mom was such a fun person.\u00a0 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.
\nMy 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.\u00a0 We would like an update on you all,if you would.\u00a0 Also, Charles would love to have your pages in our family history book he is making.\u00a0 We have a (tentative) reunion planned this summer July 26-29 in Estes Park, CO.\u00a0 It would be awesome if your families were to be represented there.\u00a0 Please contact me at least with some way to reach you.\u00a0 Again, I offer my sympathy at this time. She was a wonderful lady.\u00a0 \u00a0Her obit.\u00a0 photo is beautiful.
\nLove, Charlotte Morton.<\/p>\n
\nBrian Baker<\/p>\n
\nLinda Minthorn<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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