Patricia Ann Hughes

Patricia Ann Hughes (Shonkwiler), 87, of Fort Collins, Colorado, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2026, in Loveland. She was born on December 20, 1938, in Urbana, Ohio, to Wayne Shonkwiler and Margaret Mumma. Patricia was raised on a farm in Ohio and graduated as valedictorian of her class from Urbana Local High School. She went on to attend Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, on a teacher’s scholarship, and also studied at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. She later earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Montana in Missoula in 1964. Throughout her life, Patricia lived in Urbana, Ohio; Missoula, Montana; McCall, Idaho; Del Norte, Colorado; and Fort Collins, Colorado. Pat devoted 26 years to teaching, working in Springfield, Ohio; Missoula, Montana; and in Fort Collins and Loveland, Colorado. She concluded her career as a preschool teacher at Harmony School in Fort Collins, where she taught for 13 years before retiring in May 2002. In retirement, she found great joy in volunteering for many years at the Colorado Welcome Center near Fort Collins. In 1958, Pat married Charles Hughes. Their 34-year marriage ended in divorce in 1992. During their time in Montana, they adopted two children, Laurie and Thomas. In 2002, she married Edward Yonker in Maui, Hawaii. Pat was a devoted member of Timberline Church in Fort Collins, where she was active in the Primetimers ministry and gave generously of her time as a volunteer. She had a passion for gardening, playing games and cards, and exploring garage sales, auctions, and flea markets. She was also an avid traveler who enjoyed extensive journeys throughout Europe, North America, and Israel. Above all, she cherished time spent with her family. Pat is survived by her daughter, Laurie Ronholdt and her husband Chad of Murphy, Texas; her son, Tom Hughes and his wife Margarita of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; her grandchildren, Matthew (Elizabeth) Friehauf, Nicole Friehauf (Tyler Silver), Chandler Hughes, and Rachel and Evelyn Ronholdt; her sister, LaDonna (Frank) Hess; as well as many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her husband Ed, her parents, and her grandson, Timothy Friehauf. Cremation arrangements are being handled by Bohlender Funeral Chapel in Fort Collins. A memorial service celebrating Pat’s life will be held at Timberline Church in Fort Collins on May 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with Rich Yonker officiating, followed by a reception. She will be laid to rest at a later date in Mutual, Ohio.

Tributes

Patricia Ann Hughes

December 20, 1938 - March 31, 2026