Patsy Ann (Marks) Farnsel-Knierim

Patsy Ann Marks was born to Albert, Jr. known to many as “Skib” and Helen (Clough) Marks on January 2, 1935 in Holloway, Michigan. She was an older sister to Jerry, who passed in infancy. Pat spent her childhood roaming the little town of Blissfield on her bike with her friends, taking trips with her parents around the US, dancing in her father’s barber shop, and regaling Blissfield schools with her presence. She was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Blissfield.

  
After graduating from Blissfield in 1952, she married Kenneth Farnsel. Pat was a doting mother and farmer, and could be found caring for her dogs, cooking up the most delicious dinners, and driving tractor alongside her husband and son. Once her three children were a tad older, Pat worked in Blissfield for the schools. She retired from Blissfield High School in 1998 after serving 27 years; starting in the Athletic Department and ending as that smiling face in the office as the school secretary. Not only did her co-workers and staff make her years there happy, she noted that the students fed her youthful soul, and they were what she enjoyed most about her career there.  

After Ken passed in 1991, Victor Knierim fulfilled a promise he made when she was but 3 years old in her father’s shop, that he was “Gonna marry that kid of yours, Skib”. Victor treated Pat to vacations, a favorite booth at both Mancy’s and Eddie Lee’s, dancing on the Square at Spanish Springs in The Villages, and a Florida home where she met some of the best friends she ever had.

  
Pat was preceded in death by her parents Albert “Skib” and Helen Marks, daughter Melanie Caresse Farnsel, first husband Kenneth Farnsel, daughter Michelle Terise (Farnsel) Brown, second husband Victor Knierim, and great granddaughter Sophie Farnsel. Surviving is her son, Mark (Donna) Farnsel, grandchildren Edward (Lauren) Farnsel, MacKenzi (Gary) Roytek, Curtis (Erin) Farnsel, Laura (Paul) Dibert, and Bailey Brown; great grandchildren Logan, Brady, Collin, and Madison Roytek, FaithAnn Brown, Alexa and Lyla Dibert, Zoe, Kenny and Cody Farnsel, and Margot and Jay Farnsel.

  
She also leaves behind her Florida gals, best of friends, sisters she always wanted, Sharon Sears and Marie “Peaches” Romano.

 

Visitation will be held Sunday, January 29th from 3 to 6 pm at the Weigel Funeral Home in Metamora.  Visitation will continue Monday, January 30th from 10 am to 11 am in the funeral home, where services for Pat will begin at 11:00 am., with Pastor Richard Hogan officiating. Interment will follow at Amboy Township Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Blissfield, Michigan or to The Evergreen Community Library in Metamora, Ohio.