Died August 30, 2024
ELMWOOD TOWNSHIP – Patricia Carole Empson, 83, of Elmwood Township, passed away on Friday, August 30, 2024 at home.
Patricia was born February 2, 1941 in St. Joseph, MI the daughter of Donald and Alice (Snyder) Bachman. On February 28, 1959 she married James ( Jim) Empson Jr., who survives.
Pat and Jim raised their family in Hartford, MI and in 1978 they moved to Leelanau County. She was a skilled cook, with an endless array of cool whip-based “salads”, and a master of needlework. A computer whiz and lover of technology, Pat stepped into the role of family archivist by spending countless hours researching family history, mapping her family tree, and digitizing decades of family photos.
She enjoyed exploring new places across Northern Michigan, from summer festivals to fall colors. In recent years Pat demonstrated incredible strength and love by stepping into the role of caregiver for her husband of 65 years.
She spent a career in banking and healthcare customer service in Traverse City, retiring on her 65th birthday.
Pat is survived by her husband, James; her three children, Kelly Richards, Kimberly (Pete) Pelon, Kevin Empson; her siblings, Terry Bachman, Richard (Ernestine) Bachman; her grandchildren, Daniel Richards, Richard (Christi) Root, Nicole Root, Adam Root, Cory (Kaprina) Root, Katie (Brandon) Smith, Alec (Lexie) Empson, Lucas Empson; her great grandchildren, Lily, Dominic, Evangeline, Emilie and Genevieve.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Alice, a brother, Ronnie Bachman and a sister in law, Doris Bachman.
A celebration of Pat’s life will be announced at a later date.
Memorials may be directed to Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org Please share condolences with the family at www.martinson.info.
Arrangements are with the Martinson’s Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.
