Patricia Hejl

Patricia Ann Hejl passed away peacefully on October 5, 2021, surrounded by her family. Pat was born on March 23, 1935 in Grand Junction, Colorado. She attended Grand Junction High School and graduated in 1953. She relocated to Rangely, Colorado with her parents, Willard and Grace Noel. There she met “the handsomest man” she had ever seen, Frank Hejl, whom she married in 1957, and together they raised their five boys. Pat and Frank were always involved in their community and made many lifelong friends and great memories in Rangely.

Pat was part of a long line of strong, opinionated women. She could always be counted on to tell it like it is. Frank was the love of her life, and they kept each other in line and always supported one another through life’s ups and downs. After leaving Rangely, they happily made a home on Lake Mohave outside of Bullhead City, Arizona. They spent time working on their home, gambling, traveling in their motorhome, and enjoying visits with their grandchildren until Frank passed away in 2000.

Pat most recently lived in Grand Junction, where she enjoyed working in her courtyard and garden, bringing beautiful flowers and vegetables to life each year. She enjoyed adding more yard ornaments each spring. Pat used her talents as an artist to paint rocks, flower pots, and furniture. She was also a skilled quilter and enjoyed making baby blankets for all her great-grandchildren in anticipation of their arrivals. She spent the last years of her life close to her sons and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed yardsale-ing and visiting with friends and family, passing on her wisdom and advice. She was a true matriarch and will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her and loving her.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Willard and Grace Noel; her husband, Frank Hejl; and one son, Frank Hejl, Jr. She is survived by two brothers, Gary (Cindy) Noel and Marvin (Becky) Noel; four sons, Steve Hejl, Scott (Angie) Hejl; Kieth (Annette) Hejl; and Kent (Janet) Hejl; seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, October 14th at 1pm at the Rangely Cemetary, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Elk’s Lodge. In lieu of flowers, Pat’s family requests that donations be made in her name to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Hospitals for Children.