Patricia Joan (Metzger) Luedders

Friends and relatives of Dr. Patricia J. Luedders:

Pat died Saturday, July 1, 2023, from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease.  She was 82.

Pat was born in Detroit to John and Gladys Metzger just months before America’s entry into World War II.  She developed a deep love for animals, although she grew up with none of her own.  In high school she pursued her love of horses by becoming a trail-riding guide at Belle Isle Stables in Michigan.

Ignoring the counselors who advised her to pursue a career more befitting a female, Pat pursued a career as a veterinarian.  She received a pre-veterinary bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of California – Davis.  During those college years she married Virgil, a man from a small town in Kansas.  In 1965 they moved to Columbia, MO.  Virgil worked for the USDA as a geneticist and Pat became a staff veterinarian at Horton Animal Hospital and was one of the first practicing female veterinarians in Missouri.  Pat later left Horton’s to work with Laurence Greer at CENCO Veterinary Clinic.  When Dr. Greer retired, she bought his practice in partnership with doctors Jack Horton and John Williams to form Horton Animal Hospital – Northeast.

Pat and Virgil created a small farm north of Columbia.  Both the house and farm teemed with animals of many sizes, reflecting Pat’s love of animals and Virgil’s rural background.  There was rarely a dull (or quiet) moment.  Pat and Virgil were devoted parents and lovingly raised their three children with humor, hard work and fun.

Pat and Virgil were avid quilters and made countless quilts over 5 decades of careful piecing and sewing.  Many of these grace the homes of family and friends, although dozens were donated to charitable causes.  Pat was also heavily involved at St. Andrews Lutheran Church where she was part of Esther Circle, Lutheran World Relief, Food Resource Bank as well as other church events and activities.

Pat cared deeply about animals, as her friends and past clients know.  She also loved wild and natural places and was a strong supporter of The Nature Conservancy, among other groups.

Pat was preceded in death by her husband.  Pat is survived by her brother, two sons, a daughter, and 3 grandchildren.

A celebration of life service will be Saturday, August 26th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Columbia.

Those unable to attend in-person, may join in the Memorial Service via Zoom using the “Worship” button at http://saintandrewslutheran.org/online-events, Meeting ID: 5734495674, Password: 65203.

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please donate to The Nature Conservancy at

The Nature Conservancy
Attn: Treasury
4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100
Arlington, VA 22203 USA

https://preserve.nature.org/page/80429/donate/1

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