Patricia Ann (Zenk) Vorel

Vorel, Patricia Ann “Pat”, born December 12, 1931, lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan all of her life,  and passed away peacefully on May 29, 2019 at the age of 87 from lymphoma. After meeting at Union High school, Pat married Allan Vorel on June 30, 1951, and remained happily wed to each other for 67 years. She was preceded in death by Carl and Edith (Sabartinelli) Zenk, and her daughter-in-law, Karel. She is survived by all of her younger siblings, Linda (Jerry) Huizing, Gordon (Carolynn) Zenk, and David Zenk. Allan and Pat had five children, Allan (Jackie Prestia), Rick (Sherry), twins, Scott (Carol) and Cheryl (Jack Carlsen), and Mark (Juanita).

She loved her grandchildren; Jack, Colleen, Josh, Brad, Mary, Traci, Christina, Elizabeth and Jake. She also enjoyed spending as much time as possible with her 8 great-grandchildren.

Starting her work career as a realtor, she then worked many years as an Accountant at Western American Mailers followed by a long stint in charge of the accounts at Grand Rapids Foam Rubber. Throughout that time the family was very active in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, the Sports Car Club of America and the Grand Rapids Yacht Club.  Pat also devoted many hours working in her lovely gardens her entire life.

Having a never ending curiosity and drive to learn, during retirement she fondly spent many hours of her time as a docent at the Grand Rapids Public Museum and Blandford Nature Center. She also loved exploring the Grand Rapids area with her family, especially Frederik Meijer Gardens and the John Ball Park Zoo. As soon as the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center opened in 2004, Allan and Pat enjoyed volunteering to usher patrons to their seats and watching the fantastic shows. She preferred playing live games of Bridge, Cribbage, or any fun board game like Life or Husker-Du, she also kept her computers loaded with Monopoly and all of her card games to play on her own.

She was most well-known for her sharp sailing ability and fierce competitiveness on the water sailing Butterfly 8971 on her own, and Rebel 4161 with both her “special son”, Andy Rundquist, and her granddaughter, Mary Reif. Just a year after a very rare heart bypass surgery, Pat and Mary won the 2011 Rebel Nationals followed by subsequent victories in 2012 and 2014.

Her family greatly appreciates Jackie Prestia for taking such great care of Pat and providing around the clock care when her health suddenly began to fail her.

All are welcome to celebrate her life at the Grand Rapids Yacht Club on June 14, 2019 from 4pm to 7pm.  At 6pm, a few words will be said and all attendees will be encouraged to share stories from her life.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Patricia Ann (Zenk) Vorel, please visit our floral store.