Obit: Patrick, Jean Elizabeth (1921 - 2012)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Patrick, Boyd, Jeremy, Talbert, Mataczynski, Klapatauskas, Henry, Geisler, Kimball, Grubb, Geffert

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 5/23/2012

Patrick, Jean Elizabeth (15 May 1921 - 18 May 2012)

Jean Elizabeth Patrick, age 91, of Wausau (formerly of Conrath) passed away on Friday, May 18, 2012, at Mt. View Care Center-Gardenside Crossing in Wausau, Wisconsin after a 12-year courageous journey with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Jean was born on May 15, 1921, to Joseph and Susan (Boyd) Jeremy in Hastings, Minnesota. When she was two years old, her family moved to Nail Creek, Wisconsin, where she lived on a farm with her parents, four sisters and brother. These were happy times, filled with music, laughter, and love. During the beginning years of WW II Jean lived in Elkhorn, WI while working in a defense plant in Burlington, Wisconsin.

After returning to the Ladysmith area, Jean was working at the Jack Sprat Grocery Store in Ladysmith when a handsome young farmer walked in and changed her life forever. Jean and Ralph Patrick were married on December 16, 1944, in Fort McClellan, Alabama where Ralph was stationed in the U. S. Army. In March of 1945 he was assigned to active duty in Germany and France.

After Ralph returned from the war they bought a farm near Conrath, Wisconsin where they lived until Ralph’s appointment as a rural letter carrier. They sold the farm and moved to a home near the Marshall Cheese Factory where they raised their family of five children.

Rev. Melvin Geffert introduced Jean and Ralph to the love of Christ in 1958 and they became active members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sheldon. Jean was actively involved with the Ladies Aid of Trinity Lutheran church, the Marshall Homemakers, and the VFW Auxiliary. While enjoying these activities, Jean’s priorities were her husband, children, extended family, friends, and neighbors. She filled our lives with love, wisdom, music, poetry and laughter.

Jean was a part-time postmaster in Thorp, Wisconsin and then was appointed as postmaster in Conrath. With Ralph at her side as the rural carrier, they provided a great service to the community. Ralph and Jean were very active in the Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, where they were both state presidents. They enjoyed making friends throughout the state and nation as they traveled to county meetings, as well as state and national conventions.

Jean is survived by her five children: Linda Talbert of Mosinee, Mary Jo Mataczynski (Ed) of Roberts, Sue Klapatauskas of Thorp, Leeann Klapatauskas (Randy) of Thorp, and Rev. Ralph Patrick of Ault, Colorado. In addition to her children, her legacy includes 17 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Jean is further survived by sisters: Lucille Henry of Exeland and Viola Geisler of Rice Lake; sister-in-aw, Geri Jeremy of Safford, AZ; several nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ralph, in 1986; her brothers: Alvin and Jim Jeremy; sisters: Florence Kimball and Vera Grubb; and son-in-law, Nick Klapatauskas.

Funeral services were held on Monday, May 21, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sheldon. Burial followed in Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation was held at the church on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until time of service.

Memorials may be sent to Alzheimer’s association or Mt. View Care Center-Gardenside Crossing.

Online condolences may be expressed at: www.cuddiefh.com.

Thorp Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.