1946 - 2025
Patricia Ann Dent was born to John and Anna Lietha on July 11, 1946 in Chicago, Illinois. She was made a child of God when she was baptized shortly after that. As a teenager, she publicly confessed her faith in the rite of Confirmation at Redeemer Lutheran Church here in Tucson. Pat later became a member of Grace and was active in congregational life for many years.
On August 19, 1967, Pat married Terry Dent. The Lord blessed Pat and Terry with four children: Shawn, Charlotte, Joel, and Joanna. After 47 years of blessings as husband and wife, the Lord called Terry home to heaven in October of 2014.
Pat graduated from the University of Arizona. She was a school teacher, a Reading Specialist, played in the Green Valley Concert Band, and was involved in other community organizations. She had many interests and hobbies. They included volunteering, traveling, painting, gardening, playing cards with friends, clay studio, and swimming.
Pat was not shy about sharing her faith in Christ, and she showed that faith in her daily life. She was in church on Sunday mornings, participated in Bible studies at church, taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, helped with Lutheran Pioneer youth program, and more.
Pat’s faith in her Savior was rewarded when she was called home to heaven on August 9, 2025. She was preceded in death by her husband, Terry Dent, her brother, John Lietha, and her sister Dorothy Lietha. She leaves to mourn her passing and to look forward to a joyful reunion in heaven her children, Shawn Dent, Charlotte Dent, Joel Dent, Joanna Gorney (Joe Gorney); grandchildren, Steve Dent, Joshua, Callie, and Molly Gorney; and many friends.
The Lord gave Pat a time of grace on this earth of 79 years and 30 days.
Teach us to number our days in such a way that we bring a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12
Christian Funeral Service for Patricia Ann Dent
July 11, 1946 - August 9, 2025
Psalm 73:23-24
Tucson, Arizona
September 27, 2025
The order for our service today is based on the Christian Funeral service in the blue Christian Worship hymnal (pages 274-277). Please join in speaking the congregational parts and singing the hymns as indicated.
THOSEASSISTINGINWORSHIPTODAY
Minister ......................................................................................... Pastor Ron Koehler
Accompanist ............................................................................................Jane Neujahr
Sound Technician ............................................................................... Jeremy Snavely
REMEMBRANCEOFBAPTISM
Minister: In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
In Holy Baptism, Pat was clothed with the robe of Christ’s righteousness that covered all her sin. St. Paul affirms, “In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
The apostle also writes, “All of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.”
Christ is risen!
He is risen, indeed!
You are invited to stay for a meal in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the memorial service.
GOD’SCOMFORT
We have come together to seek God’s comfort in our sorrow and to rejoice in the promise of the resurrection. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ who said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”
The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Death has been swallowed up in victory! Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
When Christ, who is our life, appears, then we also will appear with him in glory.
For those wishing to give a gift in memory of Pat, a memorial has been established in her name here at Grace in support of Grace’s English Classes Program and Mission to the Children.
Grace Lutheran Church 830 N. 1st Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719
PRAYER
Let us pray.
Lord Jesus, you wept at the grave of your friend Lazarus, and you consoled Mary and Martha in their distress. Draw near to us who mourn the loss of Pat and dry the tears of all who weep. Calm our troubled hearts; dispel our doubts and fears. We thank you for bringing Pat to faith and giving her the gift of eternal life. Strengthen us with your Word and sacraments, and keep us in the saving faith until we are united with you and all the saints where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
RESPONSIVEREADINGOFPSALM23
The LORD is my shepherd.
I lack nothing.
He causes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You set a table for me in the presence of my foes.
You drench my head with oil. My cup is overflowing.
Surely goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
(see page 11)
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, because the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. And the sea no longer existed.
2And I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3And from the throne I heard a loud voice that said, “Look! God’s dwelling is with people. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them, and he will be their God. 4He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain, because the former things have passed away.”
READING
John14:1-6
1“Do not let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that you may also be where I am. 4You know where I am going, and you know the way.”
5“Lord, we don’t know where you are going,” Thomas replied, “so how can we know the way?”
6Jesus said to him, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.”
LORD’SPRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
BLESSING
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and T give you peace.
Amen.
Text: Horatio G. Spafford, 1828–1888, alt. Tune: Philip P. Bliss, 1838–1876. Text and tune: Public domain.
Lord God, heavenly Father, you are always with us, especially when our hearts are heavy with grief. Send us your Spirit so that even as we grieve we are filled with hope. You have convinced us that your Son Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that our loved ones who have fallen asleep in Christ are resting in peace with you. Let nothing shake our confidence in your promise that we will be united with you and them in glory forever. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
What great mercy you have shown us, Father in heaven! Through your Son’s resurrection, our hope is alive and our inheritance is certain. The bliss and security we will enjoy in your presence are blessings that will never perish, spoil, or fade. Shield us with your power and give us faith to trust in you in every trial until we inherit the glorious riches you are keeping for us in heaven. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, we see your abiding love in the kindness shown to us by family and friends. As we receive comfort and encouragement from others, we are experiencing your care. Help us bear all our burdens patiently. Be the strength of your people, now and in difficult days to come. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, support us all day long, till the shadows lengthen and the evening comes and the busy world is hushed and the fever of life is over and our work is done. Then, in your mercy, grant us a safe lodging and a holy rest and peace at the last; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
93 To eternity I will not forget your precepts, because by them you have given me life.
94 I am yours. Save me, because I have sought your precepts.
97 How I love your laws! I meditate on them all day long.
102 I have not turned from your judgments, because you yourself have instructed me.
103 How sweet are your sayings to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 From your precepts I gain understanding, therefore I hate every false road.
105 Your words are a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.
106 I have sworn and affirmed that I will keep your righteous judgments.
107 I have suffered much.
LORD, give me life according to your words.
108 LORD, please accept the willing praise from my mouth, and teach me your judgments.
109 I take my life in my hands constantly, but I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not wandered from your precepts.
111 I have inherited your testimonies forever. Yes, they are the joy of my heart.
112 I turn my heart to do your statutes, forever, right to the end.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
HYMN—The First Song of Isaiah Christian Worship 810
