Patricia Ann (Erlewein) Dean

Ms. Patricia Ann (Erlewein) Dean, a former resident of Kingsley, Mi, passed away at Enterprise Health and Rehabilitation Services, Enterprise, AL, October 18, 2018 following a courageous battle with Alzheimer's. She was 80 years old. A private memorial service for immediate family members was held at the Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory, Enterprise, AL, on October 20, 2018. Patricia (Pat) was born May 5, 1938, to the late Joseph Erlewein and Margaret A. (Kremmin) Erlewein on the family's farm, located near Douglas, MI, and was the youngest of 6 children (all of whom preceded her in death). Survivors include former husband, Kenneth (Ken) D. Dean, a resident of Kingsley MI, her only child, daughter Kelly M. (Dean) Heath, formerly of Kingsley, MI, and son-in-law, Richard (Rick) G. Heath , both residents of Enterprise AL, step-son Harvey T. Dean and wife Deb of Hesperia, MI, step-daughter, Lori A. (Dean) Slate and husband, Dan Slate of Fremont, MI, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. In her early teens, Pat's family left the farm to settle into an extraordinary octagonal-shaped home her father built in the town of Douglas, MI; one that still stands and is occupied to this day. Single and in her mid-20's, Pat relocated to Louisville, KY to work as an assistant to the Churchill Downs veterinarian in charge of caring for the racehorses. While there, she met and married her former husband Ken, also a native of Michigan, who was enlisted with the US Army, stationed at Fort Knox, KY. Shortly thereafter, Pat returned to Michigan where their daughter, and Pat's only child, was born. Following Ken's discharge from the Army, the couple reunited and took up residence in Kingsley, MI. Pat's life was an articulation of unusual skills, characteristics and abilities that personified her strong German heritage; a self-reliant, quintessential "Jackie-of-All-Trades" that she not only enjoyed and profited from, but also touched an infinite number of lives along the way as well as being a source of inspiration . Pat was incredibly affable, greeting everyone she encountered with a smile, along with a disarming "gift for gab" that quickly turned strangers into a friend or acquaintance. She had a fiercely independent, tenacious spirit, but had the patience of a saint. Pat acquired an assortment of skills in her youth that included carpentry, butchering, cooking, canning, sewing, hunting, and fishing. Needless to say, Pat rarely encountered obstacles in the course of getting things done. However, Pat will be most fondly remembered for her lifelong involvement with horses and dogs; a passion developed in early childhood and one she pursued to the fullest. Pat was an accomplished horsewoman, having raised a number of Quarter Horses as well as logging thousands of hours riding trails throughout the state of Michigan. Most impressive however, was Pat's incredible self-taught talent for dog grooming that rivaled professionals within the field. Her talent gave rise to her own business and a client load she found difficult at times keeping up with. She also found time to raise, breed, and show several breeds of dogs; a hobby she was a natural at. Pat will be missed greatly by her daughter with whom she shared a close bond with and lovingly inspired the most.   The family would like to thank Enterprise Health and Rehabilitation Services and their staff for providing Pat with exceptional care over the many years of her residency. Additionally, the family is truly grateful beyond words for the care provided to Pat and family members by the Kindred Hospice nurses of Dothan and Enterprise during Pat's last weeks of life.                                                                                                                                                                                To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Patricia Ann (Erlewein) Dean, please visit our flower store.