Fortified with the sacraments, Patricia Ann (Brune) Kalbac, age 70, passed away peacefully at home on March 21, 2021, after fighting a courageous battle against breast cancer. Kalbac was born on December 8, 1950, in Rolla, MO, the daughter of Lawrence and Christine (Schepers) Brune. She graduated from Rolla High School in 1969. After high school, she graduated from Southwest MO State University.
In 1970, Patsy met the love of her life, Ray at a fraternity party in Rolla. They were married in 1974. True love never grows old. (Proverb). Amazingly, the love sparked between Ray & Patsy has proved far more enduring and noble than any, and in fact, still affects the lives of so many of us living today. Their love was a testament to what a wonderful, faith-filled relationship should be.
Patsy was a beloved member of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque in Oakville, MO from 1979 to 2021, where she was a faithful lector, active in the Ladies Guild, Pro-Life Committee, Parish Picnic, and chairperson of the Adoration chapel. Patsy and Ray were always found together at daily mass, adoration, and Lenten fish fries. Their dedication to the parish community was a testament to their devotion to their faith and each other.
Patsy’s biggest joys in her life were being a stay-at-home mother to her daughters, Emily, Liz, and Kathy, while they were growing up, and being a grandma to her fifteen grandchildren. She excelled at both these roles beyond measure. She was an incredible mother who made her children feel so loved and supported, and she even took it to a whole other level as a grandma. She loved her fifteen grandchildren more than life itself and spent as much time with them as she could, making lasting memories that they will cherish forever. She was their number one fan, rarely missing events in which they participated.
Patsy modeled grace and compassion and loved people unconditionally with no limits. She was a beautiful woman inside and out, bringing happiness each day into the lives of the people she knew and even those she just met. Her character, integrity, strong Catholic faith, and dedication to her family were to be admired. Patsy’s constant prayer life included a deep devotion to the daily rosary and chaplet to the Sacred Heart. She will be greatly missed by so many.
Patsy is survived by the love of her life and devoted husband of 46 years, Ray Kalbac; her daughter, Emily (Ken) Behrle; daughter, Elizabeth (Scott) McBrady; daughter, Kathy Fox; and fifteen grandchildren, Chloe, Luke, Ben, Maria, Isaac, and Noah Behrle, Maura, Katie, Molly, John, and Patrick McBrady, and Levi, Max, Owen, and Nash Fox. She is also survived by her brothers, Jim (Dorothy) Brune and Charlie (Becki) Brune and sisters Judy Rhodes, Linda Brune, Mary (Diran) Kludjian, and Nancy Jensen and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.
The family wants to send a special thank you to Patsy’s close friends for praying for her and the family as if Patsy was doing it herself.
A visitation will be held on Friday March 26, 2021 from 9am to 11am at Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque 4900 Ringer Road, St Louis, MO 63129 with a funeral mass to follow at 11am.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Coalition for Life STL.
KUTIS SOUTH COUNTY SERVICE
Outstanding Catholic woman, mother and wife.
We are very sorry for your loss and will continue to pray for you, her and all of your family.
We miss you every day, Mom! We love you Grandma!
Ray and family,
Our hearts are touched upon learning of Patsy’s death. You will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.
Rose and Leon
Ray and Family,
Jean and I are deeply sorry for your loss and will continue to pray for you, her, and all your family.
Dear Ray and family,
Patsy’s dedication for praying the sacred rosary of our most Blessed Virgin Mary, especially for each grandchild, was an inspiration to me. May your sorrow be consoled with many loving memories of this gentle woman of God. God’s speed Patsy!
We are so sorry for your loss. We are keeping you all in our prayers. We will be joining you for virtual Mass on Friday. Sending our love.
Butch and Sandra (Schepers) Rhomberg
The Kalbac family is in our prayers. God bless you.
Patsy, you fought the fight, ran the race, and now wear the crown. God bless you and your loved ones.
Jane and Vince
Ray,
We were so saddened to hear about the death of Patsy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Patsy was a beautiful woman and a devoted Grandmother. She will be greatly missed. She will be in our prayers and memories. Dale and Regina Harden
I was so sorry to learn of Patsy’s death and so happy to have meet her during your stay in West Des Moines. May God hold all her family in His arms as you adjust to your loss. Know that she is walking hand in hand with her Savior and give thanks for the time you shared together until you meet again. Thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Gerry
So sad for your loss, Ray.
Know the prayers of your St Stephen’s family are
with you and family.
Patsy was a very lovely kind person. She was a Christian lady and attentive to her Catholic faith. Patsy and Ray were good friends of ours from their days back in West Des Moines at St. Francis of Assisi.
We extend our deepest sympathy to all of you!
Leon and Rose Leinen
My deepest condolences to Ray, their daughters and the family. Patsy was a special lady. Her contagious smile warmed countless hearts. Her deep devotions are great examples of how to live a life well done for God. While irreplaceable on Earth she is with Jesus. ❤️
Ray and family,
I am so sorry for your loss! Patsy was a dear! I will keep you all in my prayers that you will find peace and comfort in all your wonderful memories!
Judy Hock Peckham
So very sorry for your loss! Patsy’s love of God, her family, and her parish will be remembered by all. Prayers continue for her family.
Ray,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Patsy was an amazing lady. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Ray, Emily, Liz, and Kathy,
Patsy was a beacon of God’s love and light for all of us. It was an honor to know her and be blessed by her presence. She lived joy (happiness) and JOY (Jesus, Others, Yourself). She will be missed but her life lives on in you. God welcomed her home with the words”Well done good and faithful servant.”
Love and prayers to all of you.
Kathy Pagano
I knew Patsy from warm water arthritis class at the YMCA. She was a delightful woman. All the folks from that class send their condolences and prayers for her and for all her family. Blessings to all of you.
We are very sorry for your liss. Our thoughts & prayers are with you and family!
Dear Ray and Family,
We were so deeply sorry to hear of Patsy’s passing. She always greeted everyone with her big beautiful smile. Patsy will be sorely missed. Fly high, sweet lady.
Scott & Kathy Wessel
Dear Ray, I was saddened to learn of your precious wife, Patsy’s passing last week. I surely would have extended my thoughts and prayers by my presence at her funeral Mass had I been aware. You two have been such beautiful and faithful witnesses to the sanctity of all human life Thanks be to God for your commitment and love.
When you’re in it for LIFE, you’re in it for life – and life everlasting! God bless you
I grew up with the Brunes in Rolla, MO, and St. Patrick’s Church. Patsy and Linda were a year older than me. What a very special person she was. The pic of her laughing is just how I remember her. My prayers for her family
Jody (Bridges) Sexton.
I saw her at Mass at SMMA just a couple weeks before her passing. Living in the same neighborhood, last summer we saw each other at the pool with her beloved hubby & grandchildren. She was a role model in the way she lived her life & loved her family. So happy our paths crossed & God bless the Kalbac family.
You will be missed i love you granny ❤️