Doris June Patsios

Doris J. Patsios, 72 of Grand Island, died Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at her home with her family by her side.

Services will be at 10:00 A.M. Monday, June 2, 2014 at Third City Christian Church with the Rev. Josh Sikes officiating. Burial will be in the Grand Island City Cemetery. Visitation hours will be from 5-7 P.M Sunday, June 1, 2014 at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island. Memorials are suggested to Third City Christian Church Youth Group.

Mrs. Patsios was born June 20, 1941 in Litchfield, Nebraska the daughter of Harold and Dorothy (Senff) Nielsen. She grew up on a farm north of Litchfield later moving to Gibbon in 1949. In 1956 she moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming with her family, where they made their home until January of 1964. At that time, Doris moved to Kearney, Nebraska.

She was united in marriage to Vlassy Patsios, June 24, 1964 in Alma, Nebraska. The couple made their home in Kearney, Nebraska where they raised their children. In 1969 they moved to Grand Island where Doris helped Vlassy with several successful restaurants. She had a true gift for cooking and was a master in the kitchen where she cooked up many wonderful pastries and Greek cuisine. Many still reminisce about their famous annual Greek Night they held for many years here in Grand Island. After their children were raised, Vlassy and Doris moved to Broken Bow for a short time where they ran the restaurant at the Arrow Hotel. They returned to Grand Island to be closer to family. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 24, 2014.

Doris had a gift with crafts. She amazed many with her ability to decorate and create. She was an avid gardener, sewer, quilter, knitter and enjoyed scrapbooking. It was very difficult for her to give theses up as her health deteriorated. Most of all, Doris enjoyed attending church, her Young at Heart Bible study group, having her weekly lunch with her lady friends and attending any activity that her grandchildren were part of. She had so much love to give and her personality was a magnet that many were drawn to. She leaves behind many close friends that have been very supportive through her declining health.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 49 years, Vlassy Patsios of Grand Island, five sons and three daughter-in-law, Tim Farel of Green Bay Wisconsin, Rick & Deb Patsios of Alda, Harold Patsios of Omaha, Gus and Lori Patsios and Bill & Debra Patsios of Grand Island, two sisters, Alberta Grayek of Kearney and Alice Mars of Oklahoma, grandchildren: Dalton & Mackenzie Farel, Valerie and Mary, Tony and Valentine, Bailey and Demi and Spencer, Mason and Meghan.

Doris was welcomed into heaven by her parents, two sisters, Elaine Ueckert & Erma ODonnell and a brother, Harold (Oscar) Nielsen.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.apfelfuneralhome.com