Patricia L. (Ridenour) Nowaczewski-Keller

Patricia L. (Ridenour) Nowaczewski-Keller, age 77 of Elkhart, passed away surrounded by her family on the evening of March 6, 2022.  Patricia was born November 25, 1944, in South Bend, Indiana to the late Edward and Lola (Draves) Ridenour.  On March 6, 1971, she married Joseph Nowaczewski. Joseph preceded her in death on October 26, 1991.  Later, Patricia met Paul Keller and they were married on July 7, 2000.  Paul preceded her in death as well, passing away October 31, 2010.

Surviving are her daughters, Tami Hardison and her husband Kevin and Kimberly Gallegos and her husband Chris, all of Elkhart. Surviving as well are her grandchildren; Valere Lemon and her husband Anthon, Paul Hardison and his fiancée Dani Ramirez, Steffanie Hardison, and Christopher, Megan, and Daniel Gallegos.  Surviving as well are her great grandchildren Kendall Ramirez, and Cadence, Natalie, Lily, and Avery Lemon along with her siblings Suzie Kyle of Mishawaka and Randy Ridenour and his wife Patty of South Bend.  She was preceded in death by her brother Edward Ridenour, her brother-in-law Billy Kyle and her sister-in-law Sharon Ridenour.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 pm Friday, March 11, 2022, at Cruz Family Funeral Home in Osceola.  Funeral Services will be held at 10 am Saturday, March 12, 2022, at Cruz Family Funeral Home in Osceola with interment to follow in Olive Cemetery.

Patricia was employed by the Baugo School Corporation where she served in the school cafeteria for over 22 years.  During her time there, she enjoyed working with the children and staff of the schools and often volunteered her time for special events such as fish fry’s and Halloween programs through the school.  Her second husband Paul was a Little League official, and they traveled together to many of the Little League World Series games where he would umpire.

She also loved spending time with her grandchildren at the zoo, going out for lunch and shopping with them.  In her spare time, she enjoyed baking, sewing, working word search puzzles and watching old movies on tv.

In her memory, donations may be made to the Center for Hospice at www. https://CFHCare.org To light a virtual candle in Patricia’s memory, leave a message of comfort for her family, or share a story of her life, please follow the links provided on the tribute wall tab above.