Patricia J. Flodstrom

Patricia J. Flodstrom, age 88, of Geneva passed away Saturday, November 23, 2024 at her home surrounded by her family.

She was born April 18, 1936 in Ottawa, Illinois the daughter of Michael and Sophie (Rimcus) Slatinsky.

When Patricia was an infant, her parents moved to her mother’s hometown of St. Charles, IL.  In fact, they moved in with her mother’s parents’ living upstairs while her grandparents lived downstairs.  This living situation allowed her to develop a very special bond with her grandparents that lasted until they passed on to heaven.

When she got old enough to attend school, her mother enrolled her at St. Patrick’s Catholic School.  After grade school, she attended Mount St. Mary’s High School.    Classmates in those early school years grew into life long friends (Yvonne Malone, Barb Baert, Grace Gillis, Betty Armbruster).  In fact, they became godparents to her children.  During these early formative years, Patricia’s Catholic faith was nurtured forever guiding her throughout life. 

One day while hanging out with her girlfriends, her life would forever change. She captured a glimpse of a young, handsome former Marine pulling up in his baby blue 1957 Thunderbird.  She definitely caught his eye as well considering in 1961 they were married at St. Patrick’s Church.  

Patricia and Sven were blessed with four children, Joan, Glen, Sven, and Mark.  While Sven went to work each day at Illinois Bell, Pat stayed home and did the most challenging yet most rewarding job there is in life - taking care of the kids.  Anyone that knew Patricia, knew that she had a no nonsense approach to life.  She was the definition of “tough love”.  Her expectations were crystal clear.  Do your best and don’t cut corners.  If you did, you knew it.  She was definitely “old school”.  She didn’t mince her words.  You always knew where you stood.  She valued honesty and respect.  It was always best to tell the truth even in difficult situations.  You must be respectful of others and have good manners.  Afterall, you were a reflection of your parents and grandparents. 

Sven and Pat valued family vacations.  Each year, they would load up the kids in their red Rambler and go traveling.  Some vacations were centered around family that lived out-of-state while others were exploring national parks or quiet lakes up in the Northwoods.  These were not lavish vacations by any means.  Afterall, if you knew Patricia, you knew she was very frugal.  However, sending their kids to St. Peter’s School to get a Catholic education was something she deeply valued so she budgeted the family finances in order to make that happen. 

After her children grew up, she didn’t become an empty nester.  Instead, she focused her love and attention on her three cats, Shadow, Toki, and Heidi.  Oftentimes, she told her own kids that if she had to choose between them and her cats, she would choose her cats.  Afterall, the cats never argued with her or gave her any grief. 

In the end, Patricia’s selflessness and grit enabled her to fight courageously against Alzheimers for several years.  Her love for Sven was unwavering throughout this long journey.  She held on enduring relentless pain and suffering.  Finally, on Saturday evening, the Lord welcomed her into heaven relieving her from this Earthly suffering.     

Patricia will be remembered as a faithful wife, caring mother, loving grandmother, and proud great-grandmother.

Pat is survived by her husband Sven of 63 years;children Joan (Scott) Marinko of St. Charles, Glen of LaSalle-Peru, Sven (Anne) of Lombard and Mark (Stacy) of Plano; grandchildren Brandi (Jim) Stopka, Amanda (Tim) Hussey, Lars, Sophie, Oskar, Sven, Aubrey, Hayden and Kendal Flodstrom and great-grandchildren Callan Stopka and Nathan and Scarlett Hussey.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Michael Slatinsky.

Funeral prayers will be held Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 9:30 am at the Malone Funeral Home 324 East State Street (Rt. 38) Geneva proceeding to St. Peter Catholic Church 1891 Kaneville Road, Geneva for Celebration of Funeral Mass at 10:30 am with Father Sean Grismer Celebrant. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PQTlYvW7M4

Burial will follow at River Hills Cemetery Batavia, IL.

Visitation will be held Friday, November 29, 2024 from 4:00-8:00 pm at the Malone Funeral Home Geneva with a Liturgical Wake Service at 7:45 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Anderson Humane in South Elgin. https://ahconnects.org/ 

1000 S. La Fox Street
South Elgin, IL 60177

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Patricia J. Flodstrom, please visit our floral store.