Patricia Ann Yerbich

Patricia Ann Yerbich, 81, passed away on May 14th after a courageous, and hard fought battle with cancer.  She was born in Los Angeles, California on August 10, 1940 and spent her early childhood in South Gate.  Her family eventually moved to Washington where they owned and operated Croft Trailer Supply in South Tacoma and her brother, Paul, was born. 

Pat, and her teenage sweetheart Doug, graduated from Lincoln High School in 1958.  They were married July 16, 1960 (celebrating their 61st Anniversary in 2021) and raised their 3 daughters in Lakewood, WA.  Most often the family attended weekly mass at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Steilacoom.

Pat graduated from Fort Steilacoom Community College and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Pacific Lutheran University in 1980.

The majority of Pat’s working years were as the Office Manager for Dr. Kenneth Ritter at Bay View Medical Center. She spent her Wednesdays off with her mother Jean, and whenever possible, also with her daughters.

Following their retirement, Pat and Doug enjoyed spending summer months at the family cabin on Whitefish Lake in Northern Minnesota and took pleasure in the warm weather of Yuma, Arizona during the winter.

Pat was an avid reader of books!  Nearly everywhere she went she had a bag of books with her.  She loved beaches and sunshine, hummingbirds and roses, painting bisque ware and bedazzling clothes.  Pat wasn’t ready to go anywhere without her lipstick on! She liked “going to the show” (movies) and having fun adventures with her friends.  Pat loved to travel (especially cruises) and making homemade wine and Kahlua. She wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself or someone she loved and was known to speak her mind.  Some of her favorite holiday traditions were setting up her hand painted Christmas and Santa Villages with her grandkids and See’s Candies.

Pat was a member of the Round Table Reader’s Group, Tacoma New Comers, Carpenters Auxiliary #267, Dusty Dozen Jeep Club and the PNW4WDA.  She treasured beginning her day walking the mall and having lattes with her dear friends.  Doug and Pat spent many happy times with the “Lunch Bunch”, going on excursions with the Arizona Historical Society, and volunteering at the Yuma Airport on Saturday mornings.   They also loved their frequent trips to Mexico, and assisting with cattle drives with family and friends in Montana - where Pat took up the rear as a “flasher”.   She was an avid Mariners, Seahawks, and most recently, a Kraken fan.  Nona took pride in watching her grandkid’s sporting, graduations and other events and was so proud of all of their accomplishments.

She is survived by her husband Douglas; brother Paul (Maureen), nieces Stacia (Jedediah) and Trina (Joel); sister in law Judith (Bill), nephews Jeff and Jason (Lisa); daughters Tami and Traci, son in laws Mike Welch and Joch Louman; grandchildren Jesse, Megan (Joshua), Michael, Zachary, and great grandkids Cameron, Lilly, Jayden and Esmeray; and many special great nieces and nephews. Pat was preceded in death by her parents Lewis Croft and Jean Walton Croft Riggs; son Douglas, Jr. and daughter Teresa.

Funeral Mass will be held at Visitation Catholic Church (3314 S 58th St) at 10:30am on Friday, June 3rd, with private service at Calvary Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will take place at Amvets Post 1 (5717 S Tyler St) following the mass. Arrangements provided by Gaffney Funeral Home in Tacoma.

In lieu of flowers, please enjoy reading a good book and/or donate one in her memory to a favorite charity, local library or school.

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