Patricia Ann Zeleznak

Patricia Ann Grentner Zeleznak was born on March 17, 1922 (St. Patrick's Day), in Junction City, KS, the third child of John Grover Grentner and Mary Finnigan Grentner.  She was blessed with the luck of the Irish her whole life but also had a proud German heritage on both sides. She deeply loved her four siblings, John, Mary Jean, Frances, and Peggy.  As a girl she enjoyed picking cherries in the neighbor's orchard, roller skating, biking, playing the violin, and working at the local newspaper, the Junction City Union. Pat (or Patty as her mother called her) graduated as valedictorian of the St Xavier's high school class of 1939 in Junction City, and was awarded a scholarship to Marymount College in Salina, where she played violin for school events and also earned an award for her superior shorthand skills (160 wpm).  She studied the next year at K-State and worked part-time on the yearbook staff. Her shorthand skills probably qualified her for her next job-with the Department of the Navy in Washington DC. She served her country honorably working as a secretary for Naval Intelligence, from early 1941 to 1943. She was undoubtedly in the thick of things when Pearl Harbor was attacked.

After returning to Manhattan, she finished her bachelor of science degree in business, and met the love of her life, Mike Zeleznak, a K-State football hero. After a whirlwind courtship they were married on December 29, 1947. They moved to Estes Park, Colorado to take a job with the Army Corp of Engineers after Mike graduated in 1948, returning to Kansas City in 1951.  The years from 1948 - 1956 were full of babies, diapers, formula and a lot of fun for young Pat and Mike.

Pat loved being Mike's wife and full-time mom to their five kids. But with Mike's encouragement she returned to the workforce to help put the kids through college and to fulfill her early dream of having a business career.  She was a well-loved secretary at the KU Med Center, Department of Psychiatry from 1969 to 1989, when she joined her honey in retirement.

Their retirement years were full of traveling to many places to see new sites and visit their children and grandchildren.  They also enjoyed playing golf together and with friends. During Pat's long life she was an excellent bridge player, a proficient bowler and was amazingly lucky at bingo and slot machines. Because she was married to a man who was a superb athlete and sports fan, she joined him at many, many sporting events. When Mike's health failed, she took care of him faithfully until his death in 2009.  She missed him every day.

Pat is survived by her five children, Mary (Henry Concha) of Denver, Colorado, Michael Jr (Karen) of Topeka, Kansas, Karen (Jim Fournier) of St. Paul, Minnesota, Kathy (Michael Mercer) of Overland Park, Kansas, and Jim (Jennifer) of San Antonio, Texas, five grandchildren, Luke (Laura), Beth, Matthew (Ardis), John, and Kaeleen, and four great grandchildren, Violet, David, Andrew, and Thomas.

The Zeleznak family would like to extend a special thanks the staff at The Forum and at Santa Marta for taking such good care of our mother in her later years, including nurses, CNAs, activities personnel, therapists, dining room servers, and the social services, concierge and administrative staff.  We are so thankful for the people who helped her find happiness, enjoyed her company, and cared for her with love, compassion and patience. We're glad that she made you laugh sometimes.

A funeral Mass will be offered at 10 am on Saturday, December 29 at St. Agnes Catholic Church. The Rosary will start at 8:45 am with a visitation following, from 9-10 am. Burial at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to:

St. Agnes Catholic Church
5250 Mission Road
Roeland Park, KS 66205

OR

A charity of your choice