Obituary of Patricia Barden

Patricia Sue (Menees) Barden of Zion, IL went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, July 2, 2023. She was born December 27, 1958 in Bensenville, Illinois to Charles and Dorothy Menees. She was the youngest of their children and spent her childhood growing up in Park City, IL. She graduated from Waukegan High School in 1977 and married Dennis Barden on November 11, 1978. 

Dennis and Patty met at La Pagoda in North Chicago, and they were married soon after. She was young and excited to begin life together. Their first child, Eric, was born in 1980 in Illinois. A Navy sea-duty tour brought them to Honolulu, Hawaii soon after and there they welcomed their daughter, Erin, into the world in 1982. The US Navy brought them to multiple duty stations and Patty was always up for adventure. They enjoyed living and raising their children in Hawaii, Washington and Illinois. Multiple Sclerosis plagued her life and much of their world revolved around doctor visits and hospital admissions. Joyously and uniquely, however, they celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary on 11/11/11 - an event which captured the attention of the local news outfit, The Zion-Benton News, wherein they were featured with an abstract about their marriage and lives together. Most recently, Dennis and Patty celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. Though Patty was relegated to spend the last decade and more residing in nursing homes, Dennis was her primary caregiver, as he spent his days and nights visiting her and caring for her. His devotion to her life and health was a wonderful testament to their love for one another and the vows they asserted as they entered into covenant relationship with one another in 1978. 

Patty was a loving, involved and devoted wife to Dennis and stay-at-home mom to her children for many years. She worked on and off as her health allowed, but her primary focus was fulfilling her roles as wife and mother. She took great joy in the last decade in being a grandmother to an increasing number of grandchildren. She thought of them and prayed for them often and soaked up every moment of their sweet visits. 

Patty was a woman of great faith in Christ, trusting that He alone could and would save her from the wrath to come. She was saved as a young adult and served the Lord however she could throughout her life. She was a member first of Victory Baptist Church in Pleasant Prairie, IL and then First Baptist Church in Winthrop Harbor, IL where she met many faithful friends. 

Despite severe chronic pain and debilitating health which left her homebound, wheelchair-bound and bed-bound for many years, she was joyful and a constant source of encouragement to everyone who knew her.  Her fortitude and reliance upon God for strength set her on the path to a life of thanksgiving despite her afflictions. She was a great example of joy in suffering for all to see and we all take comfort in knowing she is now pain free and with Jesus.

Patty is survived by: her husband Dennis Barden; her children Eric Barden, Erin (Darren) Baker; her sister Nancy (Menees) Ramey; her brother Gerry Menees; her grandchildren Paige, Lucas, Giuliana, Anika, Silas and many extended family members.

Patty was preceded in death by her father Charles Menees and her mother, Dorothy (Robb) Menees.

Services are scheduled to take place Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at Congdon Funeral Home in Zion, IL. Visitation will be 4-6 pm with a celebration of life service at 6 pm.

Weep Not for Me