Norine "Pat" Louise Howard

Norine “Pat” L. Howard of Kalamazoo, Michigan, died on May 17, 2024, at the age of 92. Pat was born in Kalamazoo, on July 1, 1931, to the late Joe and Norine (Wagonmaker) DeVries. She was a lifelong resident of Kalamazoo and graduated from Kalamazoo Central in 1946. On August 15, 1958, Pat married Robert “Bob” Howard. The two were married 38 years until Bob’s death in 1996.

Pat dedicated her career to the Upjohn company in the print shop, retiring from the Upjohn company in 1990 after 37 years of service. She liked sewing, baking, traveling (especially to the Bahamas), shopping, and she always enjoyed a glass of wine or a cocktail. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren; they were her pride and joy.

Pat is survived by her daughter, Amy (Ken) Wichtman; grandchildren, MacKenzie Wichtman and Jessica Wichtman; nieces, Kristine “Sue” (David) Grinder, Dawn (John) Vanderberg, Kim (Bill) Swim, Jeff DeVries, Greg (Cindy) Devries, Jeff Howard, Michele Alexander; and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Pat was preceded in death by her beloved husband; her parents; her siblings, Gertrude Persing, Marian Peterson, Delores Devries, and Roy DeVries; brother-in-law, Benjamine Persing; and sister-in-law, Kenlyn DeVries.

A private family visitation will take place at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial and Cremation Services. A Celebration of Life will be held at Old Burdick's Bar & Grill, 1st Floor of Radisson, 100 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, on Sunday, June 2, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm. Memorial donations may be made in Pat’s honor to Centrica Care Navigators (Rose Arbor). To leave an online condolence, visit https://www.langelands.com.