Ken and Pat’s Love Story
True Love Stories Never Have Endings – Richard Bach
But they do have beautiful beginnings and many incredibly special moments in between.
If you are fortunate enough to still have your parents with you and you haven’t yet asked about their love story, please do. I truly regret not having asked more specific questions. My four brothers and I know of our Mom and Dad’s sweet love story, with bits and pieces added throughout the years. But now that they have both passed, I long to hear more of the joy and sweetness of their love. I was blessed to grow up with such loving parents. Theirs is a simple but profound love story—one that remains with me to this day.
He's a Dreamboat
The year was 1948 when two young eighth graders met while attending St. Vincent Grade School. On their way to math class, Patty and her best friend, Shirley, walked by the library just as Kenny was on a ladder, moving books for the librarian.
Patty had known who Kenny was since kindergarten, but that day, the moment she saw him—his blondish-brown hair and hazel eyes—she turned to Shirley and whispered, “He’s a dreamboat.”
Patty swooned all the way to math class.
At that age, swooning meant sneaking glances, giggling at the thought of someone liking you back, and, of course, having your best friend ask the boy if he liked you. Oh, how sweet the innocence of yesterday.
That moment was the beginning of something timeless.
Crushing It
As it turned out, Kenny had a crush on Patty, too. In their small school, they were in most classes together, giving them plenty of time to steal glances and share quiet moments.
During their first year of high school, Kenny would walk Patty home unless he had football or basketball practice or had to work at Ewald’s BBQ.
Patty always joked that Kenny weighed 125 pounds soaking wet, but that didn’t stop him from excelling at sports. As he grew stronger and taller, he became a stellar athlete. By senior year, he was captain of the football team and an acclaimed quarterback who led his team to an undefeated season.
There to cheer him on was his sweetheart, Patty, who was a cheerleader. She was just as athletic—playing volleyball and fast-pitch softball. Later in life, she would impress their children with her spectacular wind-up technique, while Ken passed down his sharp skills in many sports.
They spent most of their time together—hanging out with friends at Ewald’s, going to sports games, school dances, each other’s houses, and swimming in Rock Valley Lake and Saline Creek on scorching summer days.
For the Junior-Senior Prom, Patty’s aunt, a dressmaker, created a beautiful lavender tulle gown for her. And just like that, the two were a picture-perfect couple.
Welcome to Adulthood
Ken and Pat graduated from St. Vincent High School in 1953.
Years later, after my siblings and I were grown, Mom told me a story—one she had never mentioned before. After graduation, their class went to the Saline Inn to dance the night away, celebrating their new chapter. But the night didn’t end there. Afterward, they went to R. Elder’s cabin for an overnight party.
"Oh, what a party it was!" Mom said, laughing.
And that’s where I cut her off. Tell me no more, Mom. I’m good.
Ken’s athletic ability led him to Southeast Missouri State University, where he walked on for the football team. After his tryout, he was offered a scholarship—but his dream of playing college football ended abruptly after a neck injury.
Ken was one of thirteen children. Without a scholarship, he couldn’t afford college. In 1955, he enlisted in the Army and was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Even there, his talent shined—earning him the title of Most Valuable Player on the military football team.
During those two years, Ken and Pat wrote to each other as often as possible.
Mom later admitted that she went on a few dates while Dad was in the service. But the moment he returned, he drove to St. Louis, bought a diamond ring, and asked her father for her hand in marriage.
"He must have heard about those dates," Mom once said, “because as soon as he returned, he asked me to marry him.”
Patty accepted. They were married on June 29, 1957.
A Lifetime of Love
Through the years, Ken and Pat built a life together, filled with love, laughter, and devotion.
Dad wasn’t just a coach—he was a man who left yellow roses for Mom every month for a year, just because. He was the kind of husband who would secretly take me along to the florist to help pick out the perfect bouquet for her.
Mom was the one who cheered him on, stood by his side during long days and late nights, and raised their five children with patience and love.
We weren’t wealthy in money, but we were rich in love.
As their children grew up and built lives of their own, Ken and Pat found new adventures—taking trips to Montauk State Park, enjoying afternoon drives, and hosting backyard barbecues where grandkids learned to play baseball under the same love and guidance that shaped us.
The Final Years
In the last chapter of their lives, they took care of each other through every hardship.
When Mom suffered several strokes and had to stay in the hospital, Dad was without her for the first time. But he never stopped being there for her, and we—his children—never stopped being there for them both.
Then came the day Ken became lost on a walk. Dementia had crept into his life. The two moved to an Assisted Living Center but were soon separated—placed in different units for care.
For the first time since 1957, they were apart.
Mom missed Dad terribly. Her mind, clouded by the strokes, couldn’t understand why he couldn’t visit her. We wheeled Dad to her room as often as we could, letting them hold hands and share those quiet moments that had always been theirs alone.
On November 9, 2019, Dad passed away, surrounded by his family—except for Mom.
She had grown tired and confused, unable to stay awake as he took his final breath. Later, she regretted not being there.
But perhaps that was his last act of love—waiting until she was asleep so she wouldn’t have to say goodbye.
On January 18, 2025, Mom departed this world. As she reunited with Dad in heaven, I imagine their love story picking up exactly where it left off.
True Love
Ken and Pat’s love story spanned more than seven decades—a testament to the kind of love we all yearn for but few are lucky enough to find.
They lived simply but loved extraordinarily.
Some call it soulmates. Others call it destiny.
I call it true love. Because their love story never ended.