Patricia Alice Kingen

Patricia (Pat) Kingen, (nee Morton), age 81, of Highland, IN, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. Loving wife of David Kingen. Devoted mother of Jim (Jill) Kingen of Denver, CO and Danielle (late Don) Churilla, of Dyer, IN. Cherished grandmother of Sydney and Gavin Churilla, and Grace and Josh Kingen. Dear sister of Barbara Morton, and sister-in-law of Karen (Lee) Carmody. She was preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Lillie Belle Morton, brothers Jay (late Madge) McDonald, Bill Bannon, Clarence (late Elsie) Morton, Don (late Dee) Morton, Jim (late Ann) Morton, and sister-in-law Mary Bannon. Kind aunt to numerous nieces and nephews.

Pat was born in East Chicago, IN on August 12, 1944, and grew up in Highland, IN. She was a graduate of Highland High School, class of 1962. Later in life, Pat earned many friends working as a bartender and waitress in several local restaurants. She also served as a secretary at U.S. Steel for many years, where – in addition to her office work – she also helped lead efforts to fundraise for the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and the Salvation Army, before retiring in 2014. She was known to be a hard worker and strong provider for her family, often holding two jobs at the same time.

Pat and Dave spent many summers in northern Wisconsin and the U.P. of Michigan, where they took their kids for vacations when they were young. Pat loved being out on the water and in the sunshine, and fishing was one of her favorite pastimes. She could not only catch the fish, but clean and cook them too! In retirement, Pat found joy and laughter playing bingo and bunco and making pierogies at church with friends.

But there was nothing that Pat loved more than spending time with her four grandchildren. From teaching them to fish to cheering them on at their activities to playing games and baking cookies with them at the holidays, she was a loving and dedicated grandma. Whether at home in Indiana or on vacation in Colorado, she could be counted on to spoil the grandkids.

Visitation with the family will be held from 3pm to 7pm on Saturday, January 31, with a memorial service to be held at 6pm, at Smits Funeral Home, 2121 Pleasant Springs Lane, Dyer, IN, with Reverend Kyle Nash officiating. In honor of Pat’s late son-in-law, Don, donations to her granddaughter’s fundraiser benefitting the American Brain Tumor Association would be appreciated.

For further information, please contact 219-322-7300 or visit our online obituary and guestbook at www.SMITSFH.com