Patricia “Pat” Auten 82 of Renton, WA died on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at Valley Medical Center in Renton, WA. She was born April 23,1940, in Pekin IL to Albert and Evelyn Hardt. She married Robert Auten on July 27,1963 at Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin IL. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Barbara Rowden and her former husband. Surviving are her daughter, Beth Auten of Las Vegas NV and sister Margaret “Peg” Miller of Pekin IL.

A 1958 graduate of Pekin High School, she went on to pursue a career in nursing at Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Peoria where she completed the program to become a registered nurse.

She worked as a nurse in Illinois, Delaware and New York before moving to El Paso TX and then on to Renton.

Pat worked for nearly three decades in the Renton School District as a Volunteer Program and Training Coordinator, recruiting and scheduling tutors to serve in classrooms. She also headed up the Teen Parent Daycare at Renton High School and established the district’s HIV/AIDS Health Education program.

Because of her dedication to children and families, when she retired Pat was personally recruited by O.J. Harper, President of Harper Engineering, to manage the newly formed O.J. Harper Children’s Needs Fund to provide important resources to students and families throughout the district.

Pat served on the board of the Renton Clothes Bank and served twice as President of Kiwanis. Her community involvement also included serving four years as President of the Renton Historical Society.

In 2015, Pat was recognized by the Renton Community Foundation with the League of Extraordinary Givers award for her passion for doing what is right, helping others, and making a difference for so many throughout the community. She was also a member of United Christian Church of Renton WA where she served on the church council. Her memorial will take place there at 3:00pm on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

Pat is profoundly missed by her community, her friends, and her family. As a friend of hers said – a great one has fallen.

Donations can be made in Pat’s name to: The Renton History Museum

https://www.facebook.com/rentonhistorymuseum

Harper Engineering Children’s Needs Fund

https://renton.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1058