Two celebrations of life will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025.
The first will be from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Himmel's Restaurant, 2251 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago, IL 60625. Light refreshments will be served.
The second will be on the same day from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the clubhouse at 3960 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago, IL 60659.
-Directions: park on Bryn Mawr Ave and enter the open gate at the corner of Bryn Mawr and Pulaski, the gate will have decorations and indicate the path to the clubhouse.

Please click here to RSVP.

Patricia Ann Rodarte Merkle "Pat", 74, cherished wife of Michael Merkle for over 51 years, devoted daughter of the late Margarito and the late Beatrice Rodarte; treasured sister of Barbara Hall, Doris (John) Stelmachowski, the late Michael Rodarte, and the late Dorothy Rodarte; aunt and great aunt of many.

Pat was the owner of Gallimaufry Gallery with her husband since 1975, which they began on North Halsted Street and which is now nestled in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. She was always thoughtful and creative, curious, and hard working. She had a knack for creating a community of kindness. She loved her family and friends deeply and had a habit of endearing herself to people whom she had just met as they became new friends for life. Pat's love of life extended to inanimate objects, always naming things humorously; she referred to her walker as "Alice" after the author, when she got a new smaller walker the new one became "little Alice Walker". Pat genuinely enjoyed life and appreciated even the simplest of things: (a good cup of coffee, fresh baked bread, a slice of pie). She loved going to hot springs, knitting & crocheting, drawing, cooking & collecting cook books, and watching mysteries. Pat was very empathetic, sometimes in the retelling of a sad story which she had heard on the news, she would have to hold back tears as if it had happened to her. Her creative and calm energy that she shared with the world will be missed by many.

For more info 773-774-3232 or Kolbusmayfh.com.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the following charities in Pat's memory:

Heifer International

Ukrainian National Women's League of America

Nourishing Hope Food Pantry

The dear friend who accepted my "renaming" her Patti was a sweetheart, in the sense that you grew to love her and all her fantastic stories and views of the world, never one to shy away from confrontation or an injustice. She was also surprisingly very tender and generous.

While accepting how friendships grow, this one often had its base in the Gallimaufry where we could spend the infrequent quiet time in conversation or probably in a raucous form of joyful sharing of events. R ecalling her generosity of time and physical effort toward a friend just bonded me closer to this couple, both equally were generous in sharing many home dinners, yard events as well as visiting her family. In recollection it seemed that there was such a diversity of friends in her and Michaels life that Joy seemed to be the main aspect of Patti. We communicated frequently during the years especially her last few 3 years, with her being more isolated she still was able to be enthusiastic in her presence in the world, always holding strong to getting better and to be aware of the seasons and the richness of the time. I so enjoyed hearing of the meals Michael would prepare and how joyful she responded to the artistry and deliciousness.
Patti was truly a lively interested friend in ones activities and in the details of so much of what is happening in life.
I would send her images of my cup of latte or coffee when I would be out, just to share that pleasure and have her there with me.
... and YES, she did enjoy her coffee!