Obituary of Patricia Pauline Matusek Kenning

Obituary – Pat Kenning

Patricia Pauline Matusek Kenning was born on May 12, 1930, to Henry J and Mary (Rudney)
Matusek, in Chicago IL. She died October 16, 2023 in Centennial, CO. She was the second of four
children (older brother Michael, and younger brothers Thomas and Ronald). In 1947, she graduated
from Fenger High School in Chicago, then attended and graduated from Northwestern University in
1951 with a degree in Elementary Education.

She married Robert L Kenning on August 30, 1953, in Chicago IL. She taught kindergarten in Elkhart,
IN before giving birth to daughter Mary and son Mark. But she suffered from asthma and pneumonia
in the northern Indiana climate, so in 1961, the family moved to Tucson, AZ, where Thomas and
Krista were born. The climate made a huge difference in her health, and she became active in the
church and led Mary’s Brownie troop.

In 1963, the family moved to Littleton, and it was there that Pat truly blossomed. With the support of
her husband and family, she threw herself into community affairs – too many to list. A few highlights:
she was a popular speaker to various women and church groups, doing costumed dramatic readings
and book reviews in the area for more than 50 years. She was a long-time member of both the
Littleton Library and Museum, volunteering her time and talents to further their causes. She started
the first children’s story time at the Bemis Library in the mid ‘60s. She was a member of the Littleton
Fine Arts committee for several years. She was active in the Bega/Littleton sister city program, and
visited Bega twice, and entertained Bega families when they visited Littleton. She was a member and
leader of the Czech-Slovak Association Lodge #432. She was a long-time member of Grace Lutheran
Church in Englewood, and after it closed, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Littleton. She was active
in the local and national leadership of Church Women United and the local and national leadership of
the Lutheran church body for more than 50 years. She was the Mile Hi United Way Volunteer of the
Year in 1973.

Pat loved to travel, visiting all seven continents, most several times. She generously took her children
and grandchildren with her, enjoying cruising and sightseeing with them. She was incredibly well read
and enjoyed keeping up with current world affairs.

Pat and Bob provided a home where each child was loved, encouraged, nurtured, and disciplined.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 44 years Robert (1997), and grandson
Peter Campe (2023). She is survived by brother Ron (Sharon), daughters Mary Campe, and Krista
(Jim) Strunc, sons Mark (Diane) and Tom (Tamela), and five grandchildren, Jordan (Lindsey)
Kenning, Nyle (Lauren) Kenning, Nicholas (Hannah) Strunc, Thomas (Krystal) Strunc, Jack Strunc
and five great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 6322 S. Lakeview, Littleton, at 11 AM
on Tuesday November 7, 2023. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.