Patricia (Molver) Koessler ’56 died Aug. 27.
Koessler died Aug. 27. Patty was born Dec. 6, 1933, in Tacoma to Peter and Cora Molver, about 12 years after her only sibling, sister Audrey. She attended Jefferson Elementary School, Mason Junior High, graduated from Stadium High School in 1951 and attended Pacific Lutheran College. She married her college sweetheart, Donn H. Koessler ’54, on Nov. 6, 1954, at Central Lutheran Church in Tacoma. They lived in West Seattle and Tacoma before finally settling in Fircrest, where they raised their four sons. They had been together over 57 years when Donn died in 2012. While being a devoted wife and mother, Patty worked as a nursery school teacher and as a teacher at the Salvation Army Joyful Noise Day Care. She also worked for 15 years as a librarian at Pacific Lutheran University, retiring in 1998. She was a member of both the Sons and Daughters of Norway, the Kathryn Elstrom Orthopedic Guild, PLU Q Club and Emmanuel Lutheran Church. She cherished her lifelong friendships that started in college, evidenced by attending regular gatherings of a loosely knit group known as the “PLU Lunch Bunch.” Patty liked to travel, especially with friends and family. She and Donn went on trout fishing trips; spent several weeks in Wapato Point; vacationed in Palm Springs, Hawaii, Mexico, Washington, D.C., and Branson, MO.; and went on a couple of cruises. Patty and Donn also visited Norway four times. She was particularly proud of her Norwegian ancestry and Lutheran heritage. Her home (which flew the Norwegian and American flag), decor, dishes, holiday decorations, meals and desserts, and collection of sweaters all celebrated her Norwegian roots. She raised her boys in the Lutheran church. When at home she was a terrific homemaker, although happy after several decades to yield the kitchen and cooking duties to Donn when he retired. Their home, located at the bottom of the best sledding hill in the neighborhood, and having a backyard pool, was active year-round with family and friends. Patty relished her role as hostess for many summer pool parties, and as the neighborhood mom to her children’s friends. Patty is survived by her sons Stephen (Linda) of Tacoma; Craig Koessler ’83 of Lake Oswego, Ore.; Gary Koessler ’85 and daughter-in-law Wendy (Eager) Koessler ’85 of Woodinville, Wash.; and Paul Koessler ’87 (Becky) of Boise, Idaho; her sister Audrey of Tacoma; and eight grandchildren. Memorial donations may be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church Endowment Fund and Pacific Lutheran University’s Robert A. L. Mortvedt Library.
