Patricia Ann Haberler, 80

Patricia Ann Haberler, 80 Years of life, died peacefully on the evening of November 28, 2024, Thanksgiving. Patricia was born on May 10, 1944 in Chicago, IL to parents Dorothy and Harold Jahnke. She was their second child and they loved her very much.

Patricia attended St. Frances High School and Cosmetology school in Chicago and after graduation began working in the Business of Beauty. “It’s my First Step to become the owner of mine own Hair Salon in Chicago. Patricia worked in several first class salons in the NW suburbs of Chicago; learning and building her clientele. As predicted, Pat opened her own successful salons in Barrington, IL and Arlington Heights, IL.

Patricia was an Artist first in all her business endeavors – she provided high quality beauty services in the Salons she owned in Chicago, and she was an artistic painter, subjects included portraits of family, friends, animals and landscapes.  Pat’s style ranged from realistic, contemporary to abstract paintings. Patricia created unique flower arrangements and did interior design work. In the Pacific Northwest in Gig Harbor, WA, Patricia worked for Patti Pruit/Wyckoff in her Fine Art Gallery.  Patricia later opened her own gift shop in Gig Harbor named Wildflower Gifts.   She showcased works from local artist as well as her own artwork.

Patricia was creative, imaginative, expressive and used her hands and mind to create beauty. Pat was a master of art and also commerce — she was a savvy entrepreneur and astute businesswoman.  Patricia was a self proclaimed Introvert, yet all her businesses comprised of her dealing daily with people – although an introvert, Patricia’s confidence in her abilities and product knowledge made her the best person to explain exactly what she could do for you and how she could help her customers.

Patricia met James Haberler in Chicago in the summer of 1975 on a blind date- they fell in love and married on August 21, 1976 in Volvo, IL at Saint Peter’s Church.  The couple had been married last August 21, 2024 for 48 years — Patricia said countless times over the years to family and friends — Her husband Jim never ceased to amaze her, Jim is very smart, hard working, patience, kind, honest, caring an incredible father and is so blessed to be married to such a wonderful man.   Patricia and Jim planned to move from Chicago to Houston in a unique mode of transportation – A 41 foot sailboat the couple had refurbished.  They planned to sail down the Mighty Mississippi from Chicago to Houston, TX in 1976, unfortunately,  Mother Nature had other plans.  Due to a lack of rainfall that year the river ran dry in many areas.

They lived in Houston 3 years and had their first and only child on January 1, 1979 and named him Jeremy, a strong, masculine name with biblical meaning from the Book of Jeremiah “GOD will uplift”.   Jeremy was the Love of Patricia and Jim’s life. The family moved to Gig Harbor, WA in October 1976, they have thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of the land, the sea and the people of the America’s Pacific NW for 45 Years.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Harold Jahnke and her older sister Karen Poncher of Chicago. Pat’s younger siblings, Alice Jahnke [Keith] Mosing of Houston, Thomas Jahnke [Paula] of Madisonville, TX and Paul Jahnke [Lisa] of Norfolk, VA,  remember their sister Patricia as an incredibly loving, giving, generous person — who would plan fun adventures of water skiing, ice skating, sledding, camping, swimming, horse back riding, picnics, zoo outings, teaching how to drive a manual car – planning and decorating for birthdays – Patricia was a second mother to us and we love her very much.

Patricia is survied by the Love of her Life Jim Haberler of Gig Harbor, WA and her Beloved Son Jeremy Haberler and his wife Nikki of Eatonville, WA