Patricia Lillian Kleinschmidt

Mrs. Patricia Lillian Kleinschmidt passed away peacefully at Ridgecrest Regional Hospital on Saturday, March 11, 2023, after a short stay.  In attendance were her sons Nick Jr. and John and Nick's wife Annie.  Pat was proceeded in death by her husband of over 50 years, Nick Sr.  She is survived by her two sons, Nick Jr. and John, their wives, Annie and Gayle, three grandkids, Trina, Lacy and Nicholas, Nicholas's girlfriend, Cheyenne and her four great grandchildren, Carter, Mark, Finn and Penelope. Pat was born on August 21 ^st , 1929, to Ida and John O'Leary in Billings, Montana, their second child. Pat's older brother was John O'Leary.

Pat married Nick Kleinschmidt on September 3 ^rd , 1950, in Bozeman where they both attended Montana State University (MSU). Pat graduated from MSU in the spring of 1950. After a short stay in Bozeman, Pat and Nick, with their first son Nick Jr., moved to China Lake in March 1952, when Nick accepted a position as Engineer with the Navy at the Naval Ordnance Test Station (N.O.T.S.).

Pat started her teaching career as an instructor for the apprentice program in the evenings while Nick worked during the day for the Navy.  In May of 1955, John was born, and Pat began her 30-year career as an educator on the Base at Groves Elementary School in 1960 and continued teaching at Pierce Elementary School where her skills and enthusiastic instruction were warmly received.  She became a principal at La Flores Elementary School in the 1980's.  Pat was member of the staff of the Sierra Sands School District, for over 30 years.

Pat and Nick initially lived in the trailers on Base where they met many of their lifelong friends, until they moved off base in 1976 to their property outside the city limits where Nick setup his "Shade Tree Mechanic Shop" and Pat joined Doris Bruce at Helen Baker's Garage Art Studio where the trio enjoyed the fellowship of creativity, laughter and some successful watercolors and oil painting.

Pat loved her family and in the later years nothing brought more joy to just be with her kids and their families.  Pat loved to travel and when the kids were younger this mainly consisted of trips back to Montana to visit her and Nick's mothers in Fort Benton and Polson.  With Nick's involvements in the Optimist Club, they traveled occasionally to the annual conventions which were held throughout the country.  One trip she had a fond memory was the trip to Hawaii in the 1960s. Later after both Pat and Nick retired, they travelled across the US in their motor home.  After Nick's death, Pat continued traveling; cruising up to coast on wine cruises, to Europe several times and across Canada.  She traveled with her girlfriends across the globe by air, train, and boat.

Even resting; Pat was busy with another one of Pat's passions baking.  One fond memory was Mom baking Christmas cookies and then Nick or the boys handing them out to family friends or Nick's business acquaintances.  She also enjoyed day trips with Pat Davis and reading any book she found.

Pat loved to play games and cards.  After she retired, she played bridge multiple times a week.  Fortunately, Pat had great friends, even after her 2017 accident, and COVID-19 she had friends take her to bridge, come by her Long-Term Care Facility to play scrabble and read to her for book club.

Pat volunteered and participated in the community, e.g., she was member of the WACOM since its inception in 1953 and was active till she moved to her Long-Term Care Facility after her accident in late 2017.   She was member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority the professional honorary Society of women educators.

Pat loved her family and with the loss of her husband Nick Sr. in 2003, she lost her partner in life.  She is now with him in death. She was/is loved by her Family, and she is in a better place. Rosary and viewing on Monday, 10 April from 4:00 P.M until 7:00 P.M at Holland and Lyons Chapel. Funeral on Tuesday, 11 April at 10:00 A.M at Saint Ann's. Reception following in Parish Hall. Private burial on Wednesday, 12 April.