Patricia Klingbeil

Patricia A. Klingbeil, of Centennial, Colorado, entered this life on March 17, 1933, and passed into eternal life on March 20, 2022, with her family by her side.

Pat was born to Richard and Marie Lucile (King) Goggin in Denver. She was one of 13 children. Pat lived most of her life in the greater Denver area. She also lived in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Winona, Minnesota and briefly at Eglin AFB, Florida. She graduated from Cathedral High School in 1950. In the 1960’s, she owned operated Pat’s Pantry, a small coffee shop in Englewood and later went to work for the US Postal Service Terminal Annex in downtown Denver.  In the late 1970’s Pat certified in records management and worked in corporate records management in the Inverness Business District. Later she dedicated her work to the Catholic Church, working at both Saint Louis and Saint Francis Cabrini Catholic Churches.

The center of Pat’s life was her faith in Jesus Christ, which was passed down to her from her parents. She had said that she did not remember a time when she did not believe in God. She loved her Lord and Savior with all her heart. She was always very active in her faith, serving Him at Mass, in small groups, at seminars and retreats, and in so many other ways. Pat had experienced a lot of pain and trauma in her life, and it was her faith in God that carried her through. She passed her strong faith down to her family and shared it with all she met.

Although she had lived a very long life, she always maintained a child-like faith—always amazed at God’s creation and His blessings upon her life and family. Every time she would turn a corner in Denver and see the beautiful mountains she would proclaim, “Praise You Jesus! Thank You Lord!” She recognized God in everything – in creation, in her family and friends, in the good times and in the difficult. Over the years she touched many lives and helped many to grow in their faith. She opened her house to anyone needing a meal or a bed, or a shoulder to cry on.  She rented rooms in her house to many over the years, especially young people discerning their vocation. To this day many of them still call her “Mom,” and most in her world call her “Granny Pat,” and continue to return to visit the spiritual mother/grandmother who offered them guidance and taught them how to pray and trust in Jesus.

Pat was Irish to the core. She was a jokester, had a quick wit, and could be a wee-bit colorful at times. She was very focused, opinionated, strong willed, and loved her family and friends intensely. And she was the glue that held her family together. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

Pat was a young orphan with the death of her father when she was five and the loss of her mother when she was 13 years old.

In addition, Pat was preceded in death by:

Her siblings – Margaret Mary, Marie Agnes, Marie Lucile, Helen Dorothy, Richard Paul II, Paul Edward, Lucile Marie, Joseph, John Greeley, Ann Marie, Rose Loretto, and Richard Raphael.

Husbands – Eugene Richter, Marvin Klingbeil, and the great love of her later life - Roger Stoneback.

Her greatest sorrow was the loss of her sons - David Richter, Don Richter, and Dennis Richter.

Pat is survived by her children Joe (Joanne) Gongalski, De Ann (Michael) Metzger, Dede (Ken) Chism, Doug (Val) Klingbeil, Dane (Debbie Compton) Klingbeil, her second round of children (previously grandchildren), Zein (Edward) Wafaie-Kraatz, Tareq (Katy) Wafaie, Khalid (Christina) Reynolds, Matthew (Chandra Wicke) Wafaie, and a multitude of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

A quote from one her granddaughters sums up much of her legacy,

“She loved us well for sure. I have many special memories of her and hope to love and make people feel known and loved like she did.”

The whole, big, family is so grateful for all of the love and support that has been poured out by the community that loved Pat so much. Though Pat was truly a poor widow by the measures of the world, she was rich in what does not come from this world: Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is love.

Many have asked how they can help during this time.  Flowers of course are always lovely and a beautiful honor.  If you would like to provide a gift to help with final expenses in lieu of flowers, you may give through PayPal to the account of gmakittyaid@gmail.com OR you may make a tax deductible gift to Pat’s pride and joy and where she volunteered, at Bella Health + Wellness:

Donate to Bella Health + Wellness (bloomerang.co)