Former Michigan State Rep and Senator Patty Birkholz, 74, of Saugatuck died of cancer Thursday, May 3.
Birkholz served three two-year terms in the Michigan House and two four-year terms in the Senate, from 1997 to 2011.
She was a teacher for Saugatuck-Douglas schools and Ottawa County Head Start, before joining the Saugatuck Township Park and Recreation Commission from 1972 to 1980, her first elected position. Birkholz then was elected a Saugatuck Township trusteeand then treasurer/ She also served as an assistant for U.S. Rep. Fred Upton from 1990 to 1992.
She was elected Allegan County Treasurer in 1992 after being appointed to succeed the late Fred Edgerton. She served for four years and then ran successfully for state representative, the first to succeed longtime State Rep. Paul Hillegonds when he was term limited. She was the first woman state representative from Allegan County and became the Assistant Majority Floor Leader from 1997 to 1998 and Speaker Pro Tempore from 1999 to 2002.
Elected to the Senate in 2002, she was the first woman in state history elected president pro-tempore. She served two terms between 2003 and 2011.
Birkholz was chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee and the lead author of the Michigan law regulating ballast water discharges in the Great Lakes to prevent the spread of invasive species.
She also formulated the Recreation Passport program to ensure state parks remain safe and available for future generations to enjoy.
Birkholz in 2011 was named by Gov. Rick Snyder as director of the Office of the Great Lakes where she made the Asian carp threat a key focus and worked to restore the health of Michigan’s Areas of Concern and create healthy vibrant coastal communities.
Birkholz was appointed to a two-year term with the Great Lakes Protection Fund Board of Directors. She was also named director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters West Michigan office.
A piece of the 1,000-acre Saugatuck Dunes State Park now honors Birkholz. The 291-acre natural area inside the park that attracts rare birds and endangered species is the Patricia Birkholz Natural Area.
Birkholz is survived by her three sons, Brent (Meridith) Birkholz of Saugatuck, Eric (Dr. Laurie) Birkholz of Saugatuck, Jason Birkholz of Hawaii, her granddaughters Hayden and Anna, her sister Joan and husband Frank Lamb of Saugatuck.
The family will hold a private family service. An announcement about a Celebration of Life service will be made at a future date.
The family asks that contributions in remembrance of Sen. Birkholz be made to the Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance, P.O. Box 1013, Saugatuck, MI 49453 or www.saugatuckdunescoastalalliance.com; Ox-Bow Artists-in-Residence, Saugatuck at www.ox-bow/ox-donation, or the Outdoor Discovery Center, 4214 56th Street, Holland, MI 49423 or www.outdoordiscovery.org.