A Celebration of Life for Pat will be held at 11:00 A.M. on January 4, 2014, at The Villages, 2800 Fairway Dr., San Jose, CA 95135. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Pat’s name to Sacred Heart Community Service in San Jose.
Patricia Catherine Alpers was born in Hollister, CA to parents William F. Renz, Sr. and Jessie Langdon Renz. She had four brothers and sisters, William F. Renz, Jr. (deceased), Allan Renz, Carol Wilson, and Elizabeth Boege.
Pat graduated from San Benito High School and attended San Jose State, where she earned her teaching credential. Her career began in the Alvarado/Union City area, where she taught elementary school.
On October 1, 1949, Pat married Richard C. Alpers. The couple had two children, Richard Alpers, Jr. and Lindsey Alpers.
Pat and Rich bought a house on the east side of San Jose and raised their family there, through Boy Scouts, baseball, and football. Rich passed away in August of 1972.
Pat retired from Noble Elementary School in 1982 after 29 years of teaching. She filled her free time with golf and volunteering at the Good Samaritan Hospital Gift Shop and Sacred Heart Community Center. She was a constant presence at her grandchildren’s sporting and 4-H events and a loyal San Jose State Spartan and San Francisco 49ers fan. Pat remained close to her extended family, rarely missing a San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo.
Pat is survived by her sons, Richard (Shirlee) and Lindsey (Donna), and four grandchildren, Richard (Ashley), Megan, Ryan, and Kyle.
She will be remembered as a wonderful friend, grandmother, mother, wife, and educator, as well as a fun-loving and caring person, entirely dedicated to her family.
