Patti Culver

Feb. 18,1955 – Feb.14,2026

Patricia Ann Nawrocki was born on the north side of Chicago on 2/18/55. She was the third of five children born to Mary Nawrocki, who raised her children as a single mother in the 1960s with unwavering dedication to her family. The family moved often before settling in Worth, Illinois, where Patti attended H.L. Richards high school. While playing tuba in the marching band she met Peter Culver. She graduated third in her class of 900 and later graduated from Northern Illinois University with a double major, magna cum laude. She then began working as a special education teacher. Patti and Peter dated throughout their college years and were married on May 22, 1976.

In 1980 they were led into full-time ministry. They moved to Nigeria where Peter was able to use his training as a civil engineer and both he and Patti served on staff with CRU (then called Campus Crusade for Christ) at Ahmadu Bello University. During that time, Patti devoted herself to sharing her faith and mentoring young women at the university. Patti & Peter made life-long friends, several of whom they still regularly keep in touch with today.

Though still on staff with CRU, in 1986 they left Nigeria and moved to the Dallas area. They joined Bent Tree Bible Fellowship, at the time a small church of about 200 that met in a gym across the street from their apartment. Over the next 40 years, she never wavered in her support and love of the people there. She led bible studies, taught classes, wrote curriculum, worked with the marriage ministry, mentored many, and was always available for those in need of prayer. She particularly loved the Tuesday Morning Bible Study which she co-led for more than thirty years and watched grow to include over 200 women. Patti was a genuine follower of Christ. Everyone who met her felt loved, seen, and appreciated. Three and a half years ago, she was asked to serve as an elder at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship. She served faithfully and lovingly in that role and was selected last year as vice chair of the elder team. Patti was passionate about empowering women to use their spiritual gifts and was deeply honored to serve the Lord and the church in this leadership role.

On February 8th Patti was teaching about salvation when she had a hemorrhagic stroke. Despite every effort to help her, the damage was too great, and she passed away on February 14th surrounded by loved ones. Her family is forever grateful to the compassionate medical team who gave them the opportunity to say goodbye and provided such gentle care for Patti in her final days.

Patti was a friend, mentor, and counselor to many. She was also a dedicated daughter, steadfast sister, incredible wife, and an extraordinarily generous and loving mother. She was preceded in death by her mother Mary; sisters Marilyn and Phyllis; and her brother Michael. She is survived by her brother Steve; her husband Peter; her daughter Sarah; her son Joshua and his wife Emily and their two children, Sophie & Logan.

The memorial service with be held

on March 7, 2026, at 3pm

at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship

4141 International Pkwy

Carrollton TX 75007

Sarah, Josh, and Emily would like to compile a book of photos of Patti and stories about her to share with her young grandchildren as they grow up. Please take a moment to upload your favorite photo or story to this link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10jp58Vdl4CG56ptZUrGSTDsdRv9Gv-Q6?usp=share_link

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of the below organizations. Each supports a community near to Patti's heart.

Our Calling www.ourcalling.org

Autism Speaks https://www.autismspeaks.org/

The ARC https://www.thearcofdfw.org/