Patricia Ann can Bleisem

Patricia Ann van Bleisem

Patricia Ann (Byrd) van Bleisem, 43, of Smithville, Mo., passed away, June 21, 2005 at her home.

She was born on April 21, 1962 in Muenchweiler, Germany. Patricia was the daughter of Lawrence ?Bud?, Jr. and Geraldine (Pilger) Byrd. She was raised in St. James, Mo., and graduated from John F. Hodge High School in 1980 where she was a cheerleader and award winning softball player.

Patricia was united in marriage to Jan van Bleisem of Limmen, Holland on October 5, 1985. To this union one child, Vanessa Alyse, was born on August 10, 1989.

Patricia was an avid sports fan, especially of the Smithville Warriors. She was a member of the Warriors Booster Club. She enjoyed reading, photography, developing the Lady Warriors basketball website, any sporting event, and spending time with her family and friends.

Patricia was employed by the Federal Government for over 22 years. She received numerous awards and commendations for her excellence in performing her job as a contract specialist.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Geraldine Byrd, her paternal grandparents, Lawrence E. Byrd, Sr., and Mayme Byrd Bohrer, her maternal grandparents, August and Sylvia Merrell.

Patricia is survived by her husband, Jan, and daughter, Vanessa, of the home; her father, Lawrence Byrd, St. James, Mo.; brother, Robert Byrd and wife, Kathy, Hoquaim, Wa.; sisters, Linda Byrd and husband, Babak, Lafayette, Ca.; and Susan Mitchell and her husband, Gerry, St. James, Mo.; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.

Patricia was a wonderful loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, and aunt. She was a kind vibrant woman who was cherished her family and friends. She will be greatly missed especially at the Lady Warriors basketball games.

Visitation: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 23rd at the Hixson-Klein Funeral Home Smithville, Mo.
Funeral Services: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 25th at the Jones Funeral Home, St. James, Mo., with visitation one hour prior to the service.
Burial: St. James Cemetery, St. James, Mo.