Patricia A. Harlow

Patricia Arlene Harlow, 91 of Holly, Michigan, and Bradenton, Florida, passed away on September 17, 2024, with daughter Onna at her side. She was preceded in death by her husband of 25 years, James (Bud) Harlow. Surviving are her children Karlene Lehman, Darrold (Trudy) Lehman, John (Jacquie) Lehman, Onna (Jim) Cross; step-children; Kristie (Bill) Plawinski, Kurt (Erin) Harlow; 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; brothers James (Becky) Gustafson, Gary (Pat) Gustafson, and many, many, more who were precious to her and contributed greatly to her life. Patricia was the first-born daughter of Thelma (Ransom) & Albert Gustafson. Born in Grand Ledge, Michigan, on January 16, 1933, she achieved her Bachelor’s degree from Fisher College in Boston, a private woman’s university. While employed by Michigan State University, she was lent to a Military Army General to take short-hand which required a stringent government security clearance. Patricia could have been a cat burglar; she passed the background check, except for fingerprints. State Police eventually replied to the military “We are unable to obtain a valid concise fingerprint from the “suspect”. Later, she worked with Olivet College where she greatly enjoyed organizing and attending Alumni trips. Pat was a voracious reader all her life. She also enjoyed gardening, flea markets, and family gatherings. Pat raised four children on a farm with husband John Lehman where she did her best to acclimate from city to farm life. She even learned to drive a tractor like a champ preparing the fields for crops, sometimes wearing a bikini top while listening to the Tigers or her beloved Spartans (football only!) on a transistor radio. During Pat’s subsequent twenty-five years of marriage to great love Bud Harlow, she relished her extended family, living on a lake, and her newly social lifestyle. Travel was another great love she and Bud shared. They traveled to all 7 continents, taking one or two leisurely trips annually including cherished trips to Egypt, Russia, Turkey, and a month-long Alaskan motorhome adventure. In their 70’s, they bought highly visible neon-colored jackets so they would be visible if they fell out of the inflatable “zodiac” boat ferrying them from the ship to explore the Antarctica mainland. After Bud’s passing, Mom continued to travel. She traveled so often with her family on cruises, she earned “Princess” status on Princess Cruises. In 2022, she valiantly attempted entry to the cruise-of-the-month club but had to settle for five cruises in twelve months. On the day she turned 90, she sported a birthday tiara all day on a cruise with family. It was a life well lived. Visitation will be from Noon-2 p.m., Tuesday, October 1 at Dryer Funeral Home in Holly. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Great Lakes National Cemetery. The family appreciates your kind thoughts and shared memories in lieu of flowers or donations. www.dryerfuneralhomeholly.com

Patricia A. Harlow

January 16, 1933 - September 17, 2024