Patricia Jo Ann Dornfeld
Patricia Jo Ann (Ortmeyer) Dornfeld
Having alluded death’s radar for an impressive number of years, Pat Dornfeld crossed over into heaven’s airspace on April 19, 2020, and ran into the arms of the two boys she loved most, Jesus and Dave Dornfeld.
Born in Jefferson City, Missouri, on December 5, 1933, to Oscar and Beulah Ortmeyer, Pat was a proud Jeff City Jay, class of 1951. She attended St. John’s Lutheran College in Winfield, Kansas, where she met the love of her life, Dave Dornfeld. Both graduated with their associate degree in 1953; Pat headed to University of Missouri-Columbia and completed her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Pat and Dave were married in 1956, and moved to St. Louis. During Dave’s time in the Army, Pat regularly shared stories of her time with Dave in Germany including all their travels using the book “Europe on Five Dollars a Day.” She remembered fondly seeing the 1959 World’s Fair in Brussels, Belgium, and sleeping in their car in the vineyards of Italy.
Pat taught for 30 years in a number of school districts, Riverview Gardens, University City, and Kirkwood, before happily settling in the Hazelwood School District. She loved 3rd, 4th and 5th graders and spent the majority of her teaching career at Lusher and Jana Elementary schools.
Crashing their party of two, daughter Debbie arrived in 1966. Dave, Pat and Debbie spent happy years in St. Louis, Springfield, Missouri, and Murray, Kentucky, where Tuesday’s became golden and Land Between the Lakes was the go to picnic location for the three. Traveling was enjoyed by all and especially travel around the United States. The family landed in Estes Park, Colorado, in 1983, where the whole family fell in love with God’s U.S. Headquarters, Rocky Mountain National Park.
Dave led the way to heaven in 1991 and left Pat and Debbie to press on without him. Pat and Debbie continued to travel, making many trips to the Rocky Mountains, the east coast and fabulous beaches, followed the Oregon Trail, and found out they loved cruising. Until 2016, when Pat had a major stroke in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and got a bonus 11 days on the island in the hospital making a miraculous recovery. Pat tried to not hold it against Debbie that she wouldn’t take her into international waters again.
Pat had an eye for beautiful things and loved collecting and sharing those gifts with others. She also loved reading, her rascally dogs over the years, and the neurotic, yet sweet cats imposed upon her by Debbie.
In addition to Dave and Debbie, Pat loved her sissy, Linda, her sisters and brothers in law and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She enjoyed her lunches with retired teaching friends, the Schnucks ladies, and her friends in the Joy Class at Hazelwood Baptist.
Most importantly, Pat loved Jesus. With never an unkind word for someone else, Pat was passionate about praying for others, loving others and sharing Jesus’ love for them. One of Debbie’s earliest memories was Pat telling her to “be a light for Jesus,” something she repeated to her throughout her life.
Pat decided to donate her body to medical research and a memorial service has been scheduled at Hazelwood Baptist Church on Saturday, September 12, 2020. Visitation will be at 10am with a service immediately following at 11am.
Pat requested that memorials be made to the Fusion Youth Group, c/o Hazelwood Baptist Church, 6161 Howdershell Road, Hazelwood, MO 63042, and the Stracks Fund, c/o Stray Rescue of St. Louis, 2320 Pine Street, St. Louis, MO 63103.
Well written, Debbie! Your mom would be so proud! Love you!
Just beautiful!
This is fantastic! So love the picture of her on the beach with her hat collecting shells.
Debbie, this is the most loving and joyful memorial of life I’ve ever read! You encapsulated your mother’s life in such an honoring and cheerful way. I love you dearly, and have been praying for you daily!
Such a beautifully written tribute to your mom. God be with you!
Absolutely beautiful!
A beautiful tribute to a life well-lived. I’m glad you two had so many good trips and good times together.
Debbie you are an amazing daughter. The love you have for your mom is beautiful. She was blessed you helped her #goforJesus…Love you and thank you for sharing your wonderful mother with us. ❤❤
What a beautiful, loving tribute to your mom. She was so kind. She taught you the most but she taught a lot of us a whole lot, too. Hugs, Deb.. She left you with many precious memories.
Thank you for sharing your Mom and you love for your Mom with all of us. You have been a wonderful daughter to her and she will forever be your guarding angel. Prayers for peace for you.
Well said my dear, Continued prays with love. ????????
Debbie- thank you for sharing these memories of your mom. What a tribute!❤️
What an awesome tribute to your mom! Thank you for being such an amazing daughter! Sending prayers and hugs your way! ❤️
Debbie, what an amazing tribute to an amazing woman! You are a wonderful daughter, and you served your mother well. Colin will treasure his Geode’s from your mom, and I am loving my paperweight with the ladybug on it, out on our patio table. Continued prayers in the days and months to come. Love you friend!!
What a lovely tribute. So much love in those words. And beautiful pictures. You continue to be in my prayers. ❤️
Beautiful tribute to a wonderful lady!
Absolutely lovely. What a wonderful legacy PJo leaves behind. Peace my friend and I look forward to hugging you.
Always a gifted writer! Best obituary ever! Condolences!
Debbie, Thanks for sending me the tributes you paid to our mother! They were lovely, and makes me feel as though I knew her. They also help me to know you better, and I look forward spending more time with you in Spanish class.
Beautiful tribute and memories of your mom. You are a wonderful daughter. God’s peace be with you.
What a wonderful tribute! You are a wonderful daughter and she had to have been an awesome Mom! You are a light, my friend. Peace, Comfort and joy to you.
Thank you for sharing your mom, memories, humor, kindness, and love.
Bravo Debbie! Wonderful tribute to your Mom!
Beautifully said. So glad you have so many wonderful memories with your mom. You were blessed with such amazing parents.
Hugs and prayers for you during this difficult time.
That was beautiful Deb. Great memories. You definitely had a special relationship with your mother. ❤️
That was wonderfully written! Like a story book of you and your family’s adventures! ❤️ Praying for you as you will continue to miss her… but so glad she is withJesus and your daddy! Love and hugs!!!❤️❤️❤️
So well written. I never got the privilege of meeting her but feel like I know her through your words.
Continuing to pray for you.
Debbie, you did great on writing your mom’s obit. I felt like I was walking through your family’s adventures with you. You captured a well-lived life! Prayers and thoughts for you. Abrazos!
Debbie, what a loving tribute to your mom! Thank you for sharing your journey of love and adventure.
Debbie,
What an amazing tribute to your mom. Simply beautiful. It’s clear you two shared not only a deep love for one another, but a wonderful friendship. Thank you for sharing that with all of us❤️
Debbie,
Beautiful words. Thank you for sharing your mom with us. May her memory be a blessing.
She sound like a wonderful woman and a special mother for you!
A fitting tribute written by a fantastic person!!!! Here’s to a life well lived!
Beautiful tribute
Great tribute to your Mom. Love, prayers, peace and comfort in your loss.
I have very fond memories of your family in the time spent at Villebrook Baptist Church.
Phyllis(Pitts)Kolb
We are sorry to hear about Patricia’s passing. Condolences from your Jefferson City Cousins.
Debbie, It was a pleasure to teach with your mom for a number of years at Jana Elementary. So sorry to hear of her passing, but what an wonderful, uplifting memorial you have written for her. I’m sure she’d be pleased. Pat Baker
Beautiful tribute to your mother. Praying for peace.
Beautiful, sorry for your loss. Condolences to you and your family.
From the Bobo Family,