Patricia A. Hansbauer

I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright (Leviticus 26:13) Patricia A. Hansbauer, a resident of New Braunfels, selfless mother and friend, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday evening, February 10, 2016 at Resolute Health Hospital in New Braunfels at the age of 72, one day shy of her 73rd birthday. Patricia was born on February 11, 1943 in Mahanoy City, PA to the late Michael Senavitis and Nancy Walk Senavitis, both preceding her in death. Patricia served our Nation in the United States Navy from 1961 to 1967, being assigned to Pearl Harbor and public relations for the Navy at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair, among other assignments. Her superiors valued her for her humor, affability, intelligence, fidelity to her duties and pride in the uniform. We who came to know her during and after her service found her to be excellent company: her charm, inquisitive intellect, and upright character were as the widening glow of the breaking dawn, warming our souls and widening our smiles. Her impeccable dress sense, always contemporary and classy, never without a handbag that always complimented her outfits perfectly, showed her excellent discernment of style. Yet she longed to reach beyond or above appearances to ask the greater questions that we must face, both about this life and the one beyond, kindling her interest in of some of the great works of Christianity and Judaism. And she was a keen dancer. We who came to know her saw, above all, her upright character and selfless devotion to her family, friends and country. She strove to do what was fair and right and poured herself out to the end for others. If one sought counsel, she was one who could give it well. And while it is true that, in her final years, she suffered under almost limitless torment, pains that denied her the life she wished to lead, she bore it all with courage, holding to her faith in God, though it was sorely tried. Those who survive her in this life, her husband, Eugene Hansbauer, her two sons, Matthew and Mark Hansbauer, and a number of grateful cats, all sustained by her sacrifice and example. And so it is that her life bears witness to the verse, "I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright." For, in this life, her character was whole, though her body was not; in this life, her character was upright, though her suffering tried to lay her low; now, her body lies, the yoke cast down, her soul walks upright, walking now with the Lord. Graveside services with military honors are at 2:00 pm on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.