Patricia Buxkemper

Patricia Mary Buxkemper, née Rawlings, was born September 27, 1924 in Melksham, England. She was the youngest of four children.

At the age of seven, her family moved to Bristol. During WWII, she volunteered for the Woman's Land Army and also worked at the Ministry of Labour. By this time, American GI's were abundant in England. At the County Ground Hotel, a blond GI from Texas asked her to dance, which began a lifetime of love. Arnold Buxkemper was a Supply Sergeant stationed at Frome, outside Bristol, but soon found himself transferred to Paris and from there, continued on to Germany serving as a tank driver in the 736th Tank Battalion, 8th Armored Army.

With the end of the war, he received notice one morning that he had thirty minutes to get on a plane to England to get married with seven days leave. They tied the knot on August 30, 1945.

He returned to Germany and soon went to Le Havre, France, where he boarded a ship for the U.S. Now a War Bride, she joined him in San Antonio, TX. Their only child, Christine Mary was born in November, 1946. Patricia received her American citizenship in October 1950.

After vacationing in Colorado and falling in love with the mountains, they moved to Denver in 1952. He worked at Hirschfeld Press. She worked as a secretary at Montgomery Ward.

Arnold died April 12, 1988.

After retirement, she continued being an active member of Ladies of the Commonwealth, served as State President of the Daughters of the British Empire and was President of Friends of Hospice.

She is survived by her daughter, Christine Tausan, four grandchildren: Kelly Huber, Karen Galperin, David Huber, and Chad Tausan. In addition, there are four great grandchildren: Talia and William Anderson, and Daniel and Jacqueline Huber.

In her lifespan she saw and experienced many things. She returned to England many times since leaving in 1946. She and Arnold loved going on road trips, spending Sundays in the mountains, and being with family. She passed away on December 8, 2020. She is laid to rest with Arnold in Fort Logan Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Porter Hospice at 950 E. Harvard Avenue, Suite 230, Denver CO 80210.

Service information is below.