Patricia Marie Barkhau (Paske)

Patricia Marie Barkhau (Paske), 89, loving mother, grandmother, aunt and friend died peacefully on June 25, 2026, at Wesley Willows in Rockford, IL. She lived her 89 years to the fullest.

Pat was born and raised in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. She attended and graduated from Concordia Teachers College, River Forest, Illinois. While at River Forest she met the love of her life, Alvin Barkhau. Married in 1958 Pat, along with Al, embarked on a teaching career with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Together they raised a loving family.

Pat was a dedicated elementary school educator. She taught in Chicago and Loves Park, Illinois; Waterloo, Iowa; Park Ridge and Skokie, Illinois. Pat’s love of children extended beyond her classroom and throughout her career as she taught English as a second language to many immigrant children. She was an exceptionally loving mentor and friend to many adult students as they learned the customs and ways of our country. Pat was proud of her Russian-German heritage. She was an avid reader, especially of the daily Chicago Tribune, a devoted lifelong Cubs fan, and liked tending to her rose garden. Pat cherished her Wisconsin upbringing and always had brats, hamburgers and a cold beer at the ready.

Throughout her retirement years Pat traveled with family and friends. She and Al enjoyed trips to Florida and cruising the Caribbean during the winter months. They particularly relished a 60-year friendship with their Concordia Lutheran (Loves Park) gang that started with camping trips when their children were young and progressed to more adventurous outings once the kids were all on their own.

Pat’s faith was her foundation. Her favorite bible passage is from John 14 v. 1-4: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.

Pat is survived by her husband, Alvin, with whom she was married for 68 years. She was the loving mother of Robert (Beth) Barkhau, Jonathan (Delores) Barkhau; proud grandma of Philip Barkhau, Evan (Kirsten Thomas) Barkhau; and aunt of several precious nieces and nephews. Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Frieda (Markgraf) Paske and her sisters Sandra (Howlin) and Judith (Verhulst).

The family acknowledges the care shown by both the staff of Wesley Willows and Transitions Hospice, especially her primary care givers: Shannon, Erica, Arlene, Cody and Jose.

A memorial service at the Wesley Willows chapel located at 4141 N. Rockton Avenue, in Rockford, is pending.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given in Pat’s name to Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois, One Oakbrook Terrace, Suite 501 Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181.