Patricia “Pat” Ann (Runge) Crase, age 79, passed away at her home on May 3^rd, 2024, in Saint Louis, Missouri with her loved ones by her side.

Pat was born on March 24^th, 1945, in Saint Louis, Missouri to Arthur August Runge and Adele Katherine (Kent) Runge. She was baptized Lutheran, and lived a life filled with faith and love alongside her brother, Doug. She went to Sherman Elementary School, and graduated from Roosevelt High School.

Throughout her teens and into adulthood, she dated and then married her high school sweetheart, Donald Ray Crase after three years together. They wed on October 19, 1963, and recently celebrated 60 years together this past year. They had three children together, Donald S, Cathryn, and Caren Crase that they have also raised Lutheran together.

Pat’s smile could light up any room she was in, and she supported her children wholeheartedly. She would attend and support her son’s little league baseball, grade school basketball, and high school football games; and she would also hold tight to her faith in reassuring her daughter, Caren as she has fought Cystic Fibrosis her entire life thus far, that everything would be okay. Pat leaves her husband Don, and son Donald, to now help Caren continue her fight.

Another great impact on her life that Pat focused on was being proud of her grandchildren. She loved Bailey’s beautiful voice, and would tell anyone who would listen all about the high notes that Bailey could sing. One of her favorite sayings was: “What a beautiful opera voice she had!” Pat was also always excited to carry on her doting like she did her son in sports when it came to her grandson, Caden. She would often attend his wrestling matches, and would get vocal as he took the mat. “That’s my boy! Go Caden!” she would yell! To know her was to know her voice; she was so supportive in everything she ever said.

While being a loving and devoted mother and grandmother was most important to Pat, she also worked outside of the home for a while. She was a data entry clerk for Dierberg’s internal office, and also worked at Cass Bank over the years. She loved communicating with others; it was a love language to her.

In her downtime, she really loved to travel. She was able to see Florida, Las Vegas, Cincinnati, New Orleans, Aruba, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Mexico. These trips gave her immense joy due to the memories made within them… and were filled with girls’ trips, mother/daughter convention trips, friends and family trips, and so many other celebrations that helped fill her soul. Pat enjoyed being with her family and friends the most in life. Game nights also helped give joy, whether it was a round of Mexican Train dominoes, a game of Uno, Rummy, or Skip Bo… It didn’t matter, as long as she was spending time with those in her circle that she loved.

Pat was also an avid reader! You could always find her with a book in her hand, and it was always a perfect gift for her. If it wasn’t a book though; it was something related to her love for Elvis! If his music wasn’t playing on the radio when her children were small, she was playing it on her record player from her many records of his. She passed this love of Elvis down to her children, Donald and Caren.

Pat is survived by her husband, Donald Ray Crase, her son Donald S. (Fiancé Brenda Meier) Crase, and daughter Caren Crase of Saint Louis; two grandchildren, Bailey and Caden Crase; brother Doug (Sherry) Runge; sister-in-law Judy (Freddie) Busch; many nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter Cathryn Suzanne Crase; her in-laws John “Homer” and Sybal Crase; aunts; uncles; and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the near future.

In lieu of services and flowers, if so desired, donations may be made in Patricia’s honor to:

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

10900 Manchester Rd. Ste 206

Saint Louis, MO 63122.