Our Mother, Pat Umbach [Patricia L. (Price) Umbach], left for heaven Tuesday, December 28th, 2010 at home in Lee's Summit, MO surrounded by family. She was born October 31st, 1929 in Evansville, Indiana to Deloras Hoover. Raised with 7 brothers and 2 sisters, Mom completed her secondary schooling and graduated from Bosse High School in 1946 [1947]. After graduating from Lockyear College, she achieved the prestigious position of Personal Executive Secretary to D. Mead Johnson, 3rd generation of the Johnson & Johnson family to serve as Chief Executive of the major manufacturer of infant formula.

Her accomplishments as a successful business woman distinguished her from typical roles women pursued during that time.

Mom met Dad on a blind date and, as love would prevail, they married February 2, 1952 and enjoyed 58 years together. After three of the four daughters were born in Indiana, Mom and Dad decided to take on a new venture and moved to Independence, Mo, where their youngest daughter was born.

Always strong in faith, our parents became active leaders in our new church home. Their genuine interest in guiding teens led them to their leadership role in charge of the "Youth Group" at church. Their ability to relate to the youth revived the number of teens who attended Youth Group meetings. It was not unusual for a member to show up at our house wanting to talk to Mom and Dad. We always knew, as did our friends, Mom and Dad made sure our home was always open.

While effortlessly creating our new world, Mom discovered the love and personal talent of art. Always "green and growing", Mother studied floral design and utilized her talent to decorate each restaurant they owned every season, which became a true labor of love. As an accomplished artist in the areas of toll, portrait and watercolor painting, she achieved her teaching credentials. Mom used her decorating and design skills at home as well, lovingly transforming the entire house each holiday.

Mom and Dad enjoyed playing bridge, and, in true form, Mom read and studied the game and became a lifelong student of strategies. She loved taking us to the zoo where we enjoyed many family outings. Mom and Dad's travels took them around the world, and our family vacations and trips are memories we will cherish forever.

Celebrating Mom's life include her husband, Don Umbach; daughter Joan Crunk and husband Jon; daughter Karen Resinger; daughter Julie Lamb and husband Don; daughter Kris Simpson and husband Greg.

Mom proudly enjoyed her 11 grandchildren; Jacob, Jaclyn and husband Jon, Leo, Jeremy, Nathan, Sydney, Kailey, Sterling, Addison, Blake, and Lindsay, and her great-grandchildren Peyton and Trenton, Caiden and Ciaran.

Always endearing to Mother's heart was the love of her Mother, Deloras (in heaven), her sisters Barbara, Martha (in heaven), and Pam, and her brothers Sam, Sydney (in heaven), Bill, Norman, Mike, Joe, and Kenny (in heaven).

Our family would like to thank all of the wonderful people at Crossroads Hospice and Visiting Nurse association who took such loving care of Mom.

While our hearts are heavy at this time, we are comforted in faith and feel blessed and honored that we were gifted with the best Mother in the world.

Services will be held on Wednesday, January 5th, 2011 at Timothy Lutheran Church, 425 N.W. R.D. Mize Road, Blue Springs, MO 64014. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m., with graveside services immediately following at Floral Hills East, 25203 E. 50 Highway, Lee's Summit, MO 64063.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Ronald McDonald Children's Charities of Kansas City, 816-842-8321, or the Alzheimer's Foundation, 913-831-3888.

January 02, 2011
What a wonderful, well-written tribute to Pat. I will always remember her as a gracious, classy & talented lady. I know you all will miss her so much, but you have such loving memories to cherish.
In Sympathy, Linda (Riester) Hoover, Newburgh, Indiana

January 02, 2011
Don, Ralph & I send our deepest sympathy to you and your family. As you might remember I worked with Pat at Mead Johnsons and knew you from St. Paul's Lutheran School and Church. What a great couple you were. As the obituary stated, she was a wonderful and talented person. We lost track of each other when we moved to northern Indiana and you and Pat moved to Kansas City, Missouri. Again, our condolences.
Katie (Rothemeier) and Ralph Lemcke, Indianapolis, Indiana

January 02, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Roger Dennis, Boonville, Indiana