Mardell Elaine Patz
Mardell Elaine Patz, 81, of Dunlap, Tennessee, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 11, 2025, surrounded by her family and friends.
Mardell was born on Aug. 31, 1943, in Bottineau, North Dakota, to Lyle and Amelia Mabel McGarry (Baune). She cherished her family, friends, and pets, especially her beloved little dog, Corky. As the matriarch of her family, she brought warmth to everyone with a smile as big as her laugh and generous hugs for family and strangers alike.
Mardell lived an adventurous life, having spent her early years in Indiana before moving west to California, where she and her husband raised their children, eventually settling in Tennessee in her later years. She loved to have fun, and her hobbies included riding horses, playing cards and backgammon, and dancing.
Mardell was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Nelson Patz, her parents, and her siblings, Wilmer, Donna Mae, Myrna, Dion, and Richard, as well as her grandchildren, Kisha and Christopher, and her great-grandchild, Madison.
She is survived by her children, Vicky Whitaker, Velvet Norris, Lisa Landers, Elizabeth Rude and Wade Patz. Her grandchildren include Lo’Rae Hibbetts, Melissa Hibbetts, Letha Henderson, Brian Martin, Steven Martin, Johnny Norris, Joshua Norris, Michael Norris, Matthew Norris, Mark Norris, Kelly Booth, Joseph Strickland, Elaine Goins, Ryan Landers, Kayla Rude, Robert Rude, Thomas Patz, Lance Patz, Tamra Patz, and Devin Patz, along with numerous great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A celebration of life will take place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 18, at RedFox Service & Repair Inc. in Trenton.
The family requests that flowers be sent to RedFox Service and Repair Inc. for the service.
Arrangements are by the Cremation Center of Chattanooga, 1345 Hickory Valley Road, Suite B, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.