Patsy Ann (LaFevre) Rager

Mrs. Patsy Ann Rager, 89, formerly of Whitehall, MI passed away Saturday, February 11, 2023. She was born October 29, 1933, in Claybanks Township, the daughter of John and Blanche (Allen) LaFevre.

Patsy was born on a beautiful fall day in a house situated on the bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan in what is now Claybanks Township Park. Eventually, the family moved to the south of Whitehall to own and operate a dairy farm. Life was difficult growing up on the family farm, but it was here where she learned the lessons of hard work, the value of family, and the joys of trusting in Christ as her Lord and Savior.

On October 15th, 1951, a couple of weeks before her eighteenth birthday, Patsy married her husband, David M. Rager of Montague, MI at the White Lake Gospel Center. A few years later, they had their one and only child, Jonathan David Rager on February 12th, 1954. Jonathan was her greatest delight. He would go on to marry Patricia A. Vost in 1974. Jonathan and Trish had three children, Joshua, Rebecca, and Bethany. Patsy adored her family and showered them with love, gifts, time and attention.

Patsy started working at Hardy Herpolsheimer’s in hosier and cosmetics. She then was a cake decorator at Morat’s Bakery. Then she started working for Whitehall District Schools first as a Secretary and then a Registrar. After Patsy became a grandmother, she went back to school and earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education. Then she was able to work as a First Grade Teacher at Shoreline Elementary.

Patsy loved holidays; Christmas and Christmas Eve, Independence Day, Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day and Easter were her favorites. She also loved to travel and bring her family with her. Her favorite places to visit were the National Parks, especially the Grand Tetons and Glacier National Park. Patsy loved to shop, collect antiques, and go out to eat with her family and friends.

Patsy had accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior and loved using her God-given-talents in the various churches she attended. She was involved in Calvary Baptist Church of Muskegon, was a charter member at White Lake Baptist Church, served for many years at Shelby Road Baptist Church, helped her son, grandson, and their families revitalize Cloverville Baptist Church, and had taken an active role at First Baptist Church of Palm Coast, Florida where she was a member. Patsy wrote many articles which appeared in local, state, and national publications for different Christian organizations. Over the years, she hosted church fellowships and also wrote and directed many church plays. She was a faithful servant of Christ.

Patsy is survived by: her daughter-in-law, Patricia A. (Vost) Rager of Palm Coast, FL; three grandchildren, Joshua (Leillani) Rager of Bay City, MI, Rebecca (David) Furst of Kittanning, PA, and Bethany McGlinchey of Palm Coast, FL; seven great grandchildren, Matthew Rager, Julia (Gavin) Bastian, Tabitha Rager, Josiah Furst, Abigail Furst, Micah Furst, and Ezekiel McGlinchey; her sister, Faith (Dale) Uithoven of Whitehall, MI.

Patsy was preceded in death by: her parents, John and Blanche LaFevre; husband David M. Rager; son, Jonathan D. Rager; sisters, Imagene Huston, Lavina Bosse, and Effie LaFevre; brother, Leon LaFevre.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1 pm, Saturday, February 18, 2023 at the Harris Funeral Home, 267 N. Michigan Avenue, Shelby, Michigan 49455, with Pastor Kevin Lautar officiating. Visitation will be held from 12 pm until 1 pm, Saturday, February 18, 2023 at the Harris Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Spring.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the family to assist in funeral expenses.

The Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is in charge of arrangements.

www.harrisfhome.com

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