Patricia Kukuruza passed from this Earth on Dec. 10, 2012, at 8 a.m. after a long struggle with COPD. She was born Oct. 16, 1932, in San Pablo, Calif., and married her one and only partner, Phil Kukuruza on Sept. 23, 1948. They lived happily together until his passing in 2003.

Pat became a volunteer at the Spokane County Prosecutors Office as a Victim Witness Coordinator, then took the skills she learned there to the Kootenai County Prosecutors Office under Glen Walker to found the Victim Witness Unit for Kootenai County. After two decades of working side by side with crime victims, their families and the court system, she retired to stay at home and take care of her husband.

She is survived by her sisters, Ada Warrens and Wanda Chamberlain; sons, Steve and his wife Brenda Kukuruza, and Dennis Kukuruza; daughter, Kim and her husband Doug Hurlbert; grandchildren, Kelley and her husband Bruce Hickerson, Charles Kukuruza, Rich Tiner, Shawna and Josh Potter, Chris and Stephanie Tiner, Jeremy Hurlbert and Jason Hurlbert; great-grandchildren, Kayla Kukuruza-Lockwood and Ryan Lockwood; numerous other great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Patricia was greatly assisted in the final few months of her illness by Hospice of North Idaho and the family would appreciate any and all donations be made in her name to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, at the Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel. The funeral service will be held at noon Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012, at Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel. Burial will be at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens. Please visit Patricia’s memorial and sign her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.