Patricia Sue Kuehndahl Shiramizu

       "Everybody Loves Patty"

Patricia Sue Kuehndahl Shiramizu passed peacefully in her home, surrounded by her family and friends on December 5, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Patty was born on January 26, 1961 in Fort Riley, Kansas to Norbert and Rosemarie Kuehndahl, shortly after they immigrated to the United States from Germany. In 1958, the family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah.

She graduated from Judge Memorial Catholic High School in 1979, attended the University of Utah and was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority Chapter, graduating in 1984 with a degree in Accounting. She had a passion for accounting/finance and became licensed as a CPA. In 1982, Patty met the love of her life, Paul Shiramizu. On July 20, 1985, they were married in Salt Lake City at the Cathedral of the Madeline. Patty worked pursuant to her degree for Tracy Collins Bank and Trust, followed by many years as the Controller of Dahle's Management, and most recently as the CFO of Skaggs Corporation. Consummately dedicated to her career, Patty loved working for the three companies with people she eventually considered life-long friends.

Patty was the mother of 3 adoring children, who were her pride and joy. She encouraged them all to pursue their goals, and was so proud of the woman and men that they have become. They will always remember her gentle and kind demeanor, her wonderful sense of humor, and her unwavering love and dedication to her family and friends. 

Patty was also a generous and compassionate individual, always putting others before herself, and known for being a benevolent woman with a beautiful spirit. Her positive energy was always present, and it was easily spread amongst every person she interacted with. She was passionate about giving back to others and was determined to leave the world a better place. She was a member of the Catholic Church and found solace and comfort in her faith. 

Patty is survived by her loving husband, Paul; children, Rachel (Tony), Daniel and Matthew; father, Norbert; brother, Jeff (Kris); father-in-law, Yoneo; brother-in-law, David (Melissa); with nephews and nieces, Brian, Claire, Nicholas, Jonah and Lani. She is preceded in death by her mother, Rosemarie, and mother-in-law, Mary.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Friday, December 15, 2017 from 6:00-9:00pm at Starks Funeral Parlor located at 3651 South 900 East in Salt Lake City. Guests are encouraged to use the complimentary valet parking on the north side of the building. Funeral Mass of the Resurrection is scheduled for Saturday, December 16, 2017 at 10:00 am at St Ambrose Catholic Church located at 2315 E Redondo Ave in Salt Lake City. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation, Alpha-1 Foundation, Huntsman Cancer Institute or The Road Home. 

The family would like to thank all of the incredible doctors and caregivers who helped Patty over these last two and a half years, in particular Drs. Jason Hunt, Kenneth Grossmann, Dennis Shrieve, Ying Hitchcock, Chakravarthy Reddy and Anna Beck of the Huntsman Cancer Institute; Dr. Stephen Doggett and St. Joseph Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, CA; Dr. Akbar Shakoor of the Moran Eye Center; Dr. Scott Oliver of the University of Colorado Anschutz Eye Institute; Cheryl Pirozzi of the University of Utah Hospital; the hospice care staff of Community Nursing Services (CNS); and caregiving friends, Stephanie and Stan Nakamura, Danny McEntee and Shaney McCoy. All of your efforts and dedication are truly appreciated, and we could not thank you enough.