Patricia Jean Vanoudenhaegen, our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, wife, sister, "mother to others", aunt and dear friend passed away peacefully on February 10, 2017. She was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota, on March 10, 1925 to the late Harold and Lois Guernsey. She received her degree in nursing in 1944 and moved to Oregon in 1952 where she made a name for herself working at Tuality Community Hospital. In 1955 she found and married her soul mate Albert Vanoudenhaegen sharing their lives until Albert's death in 1988. No one could make Pat laugh like "her Albert" and they always found time to visit with their extended family and friends. They raised their 5 children in Aloha until 1964 when they moved their family to Hillsboro. Having her first child in 1947 and her last in 1960, her parenting roles were multifaceted: while Craig was heading to High School, Diane was heading to Kindergarten. Pat often said that she was one of the "sandwich generation" because, while working fulltime and raising her children, she also cared for her mother Lois who in 1953 moved to Oregon. In 1979, she was heartbroken by the loss of her son, Joe, the victim of a drunk driver and she became active in Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Despite her losses she continued to enjoy visiting with her many friends and family, singing in choirs, working crossword puzzles and knitting. Pat was preceded in death by her husband Albert, her son Joseph Charles Vanoudenhaegen, her parents Harold and Lois Guernsey and her brother Clifford Guernsey. She is survived by four children: Richard Craig Vanoudenhaegen (Linda), Harold Dennis Vanoudenhaegen, Lois Jean Phillips (William), Diane Eileen Vanoudenhaegen (Jon Boettger); nine grandchildren Shelly, Lisa, Amy, Chelsey, Sarah, Denise, Darlene, Jesse and Tom; and one great grandchild Lizzy.
The family wishes to thank Kaiser Hospice Care and Jennings McCall Assisted Living for their dedication to the care and comfort that Pat received. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to The Grand Chapter of Oregon Eastern Star or MADD or any chosen charity.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 01, 2017 at 11:00am at the Hillsboro United Methodist Church on NE 8th Avenue. Arrangements provided by Donelson Funeral Chapel.