Patricia Ann Dulinsky Tarpenning Hand, who was called Pat, Nana, Grandma, and Mom by her family and friends, departed her loving family on April 30, 2022, after a lengthy illness.

Pat was born in Stafford, Kansas on January 10, 1938. She was the daughter of Wilma McPherson and Mount Charles Dulinsky and was raised in Ponca City, Oklahoma.

Pat was married to Rodney Hand, and they had celebrated 37-years of marriage at the time of her death. She was mother to Larry A. Tarpenning and Terry A. Tarpenning Upshaw Morgan, and later in life became stepmother to Donald Hand and Laura Hand Glover. She raised her children with love and devotion in Ponca City, Oklahoma, and later in Stillwater, OK, the home of her beloved OSU Cowboys.

Pat loved the Lord and was a beautiful, wise, and a multi-talented woman who was curious and unafraid to tackle any challenge. These traits she instilled in her children. Her life was evident of her many gifts - from becoming a concert pianist in High School, Spring Sports Princess Po-Hi, Regional Girl Scout Director & Council Member, and serving as secretary at First Christian Church for a number of years, to becoming the Executive Director of Help Line in Ponca City. She believed in giving back to the community and was Business Manager of the Ponca Playhouse, served on the Help Line Board, the Regional Girl Scouts Counsel, Stillwater Regional Hospital Volunteers Board, and was a member of Northern Oklahoma Development Association, and attended First United Methodist Church, Stillwater, OK.

Pat was a natural leader and always gravitated to the top – and she didn’t mince words on how to get things done. She enjoyed sewing and was very talented. The family still talks about her white leather pleated seating in Uncle Kent’s antique boat – quite impressive. She was a gifted embroiderer, and naturally picked up knitting and crochet as hobbies; she was an avid reader, enjoyed Bridge and mastered the art of making chocolate candies which became a much-loved treat by her grandchildren and friends.

Her life was full of adventure and in her late 40’s she learned to fly a plane so that she could get to OKC quickly to see her grandchildren. While this was nerve-racking for the family, she flew with great zest. The grandchildren and great grands recall numerous trips she and Rod gave them over the years taking them to fun places and making lifetime memories that will long be cherished. She quickly learned how to use a computer and enjoyed raising Shar Pei dogs and an Amazon Orange Winged Parrot named Taco, who will probably outlive everyone.

Pat is survived by her husband, Rodney Hand of Stillwater, OK; Children, Larry A. Tarpenning, of Stillwater, OK; Terry A. Tarpenning Upshaw Morgan (husband Bruce), of Knoxville, TN; Stepson Donald Hand (wife Sam), of Wiesbaden, Germany; and stepdaughter Rev. Laura Hand Glover, of Oklahoma City, OK. Her grandchildren include Chance Tarpenning (wife Kara), and great grands Logan, Bailey, Lily Ann, and Kirby Sue, of Perkins, OK; Chelsey Tarpenning Weaver (husband Andrew) and great grand Raeleigh, of Stillwater, OK; Lauren Upshaw Eastham (husband Michael), and great grands Davis and Averi, of Brentwood, TN; Victor Upshaw (wife Erin), and great grands Ava and Leighton, of Knoxville, TN; Matt Morgan, of Fayetteville, AR; Tara Morgan Delozier (husband Josh), of Fayetteville, AR; Gordon Hand of Stillwater, OK; Joseph Hand of Edmond, OK; Chloe Hand McDaniel (husband Sean), and great grands Ceilidh and Rona of Portsmouth, Virginia; Patrick Glover and Amber Glover of Houston, Texas; and Brother-in-laws Kent Tarpenning (wife Donna), of Tyler, Texas; and Keith Hand (wife Bonnie), of Harrah, OK. Darvin Upshaw, Edmond, OK was like a son to her and she leaves behind many cousins, nieces, and nephews as well.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and sister, Esther “Terry” McClung, and brothers, Charles, and Richard Dulinsky.

A celebration of her life and her interment will be held at the Columbarium at the 1st United Methodist Church, Stillwater, OK. Services will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pat’s name to the Judith Karman Hospice, Inc., 915 South Main, Stillwater, OK 74074, or the 1st United Methodist Church, 400 W. 7th Ave., Stillwater, OK 74074.

The family would like to thank the staff of Judith Karman Hospice for their professional and compassionate care given to Pat before she passed into the arms of God.

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