Patricia J. Krippner
Patricia J. Krippner, 79, of St. Louis, died peacefully on September 2, 2020, at her home. She was born March 28, 1941, in Minneapolis, Minn., the daughter of Robert and Harriet (Happy) Johnson.
A survivor of polio as a child, Pat graduated from Minot High School, Minot, N.D., and Swedish Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis. Later, she obtained a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Washington University in St. Louis. In September 1963, she married Kenneth E. Krippner, and they made their home in St. Louis. They are the parents of Brian, Bruce, Nicole, Don, Dionne, Rachel, and Karen. The latter five, each with a story of their own, were adopted and raised in a loving family. Pat and Ken were active with the Missouri State Board of Adoption, and the family received an award from multiple agencies as Family of the Year in 1988.
For more than 50 years, Pat was active in her church, Grace United Methodist. Most recently, she was a devoted presence at the Tuesday food pantry, sometimes with granddaughter, Megan, in tow. She was an accomplished pianist.
Pat believed there was no distance too great, no gathering too large or small, to stay connected with family, often loading up her kids and heading to New Mexico, North Dakota, the Twin Cities or Wisconsin. She enjoyed many trips with friends and family to their cabin in Northern WI. She and Ken also traveled widely. Italy was a favorite destination, to which they returned many times.
Pat’s life was marked by loving generosity, constantly thinking of creative, caring ways of helping others.
Pat Krippner is survived by her husband of 57 years, Ken; her seven children, Brian (Ame), Bruce (Susan), Nicole, Don, Dionne, Rachel and Karen; grandchildren, Quentin, Brianna, Erika, Lauren, Megan, Khaleb and Meztli; great-grandchildren, Laila, Royalty and Isyral; brothers Tom (Sally Strosahl) and James; sisters, Julie (Don) Kirklin and Jill Johnson; and many in-laws, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; and two cousins, Diane (Roy) Williams and Paul Williams.
A celebration of life service is being planned by the family and Grace United Methodist Church. Date TBD.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts to: Food Pantry at Grace UMC ( www.GraceUMC-STL.org/donate
Ken,
I am saddened to hear of Pat’s death in September. I have been working on Christmas cards—it’s been a couple of years since we have sent any—and now will send to Ken, instead of Pat and Ken.
Pat made a difference in many lives as she followed her values with action. She had a loving soul and an unforgettable laugh.
Thank you both for being part of our lives.
I worked with Ken for years. It is my regret and my loss that I never met Patricia.