J R
April 2, 1929- May 8, 2025
Patricia Louise van Klooster began her life April 2, 1929 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin with her parents Gerald Paul Phaneuf of Wisconsin and Louise Ruby Phaneuf (Nee: Anderson) of North Dakota. In high school she played basketball, performed in her school’s drama productions and skied for fun in winter. After graduating she attended the University of Minnesota, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education, and became an elementary school teacher. She eventually moved to Northern California and continued in her teaching career. It was there she met and married educator Frans van Klooster, who passed away from cancer a few years after their children were born. She then moved to Los Angeles, California where she taught elementary school and raised her three children. She remained an elementary educator for over thirty years and stayed in Los Angeles for the rest of her life. Patricia was fond of America, traveling, the arts, good food, beauty, nature, the beach, people, animals, and laughter. She had a brave heart, could pilot a plane, and even parachuted out of one. She was sensitive, creative, kind, generous, and witty. Later in life she became a pescatarian and mostly ate vegetarian. Her parents raised her in the Christian faith, and she believed in a loving God. Patricia's family is eternally grateful to the angels who were her caregivers in her final years. Patricia’s spirit lives on through her children, Neil, Marc and Jennifer, her grandchildren Alec, Sophia and Theo, and her great grandchildren Leo, Ray and Leonardo.
“Goodnight sweetheart, til we meet tomorrow. Goodnight sweetheart, sleep will vanish sorrow. Tears and parting may make us forlorn, but with the dawn a new day is born.” “Goodnight Sweetheart”- Dean Martin
