Patty J. Wakefield

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Patty Jo Wakefield, 80, of O'Neill, died Monday, Aug. 26, 2024.

Memorial visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024 at Reach Church in Blair.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024 at the church in Blair.

Private graveside services will be held at Herman Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Herman Rescue Squad or the Nebraska High School Rodeo Foundation in Patty's name.

Campbell Arman Funeral Home in Blair is in charge of the arrangements.

Patty began her earthly life on April 14, 1944, in Fremont, being the first of three children born to Bob and Donna (Reed) Wulf. They resided in Blair. Patty attended and graduated from Blair High School, receiving her diploma in 1962. Patty's youth was spent in Washington County working on 4-H projects, and as many in those days, looked forward to exhibiting them in the county fair. She always enjoyed the friendships a small community provides but many of her closest friends were her many cousins and their families.

Patty married Les Wakefield on April 13, 1963. They raised two children Mary and Jim.

Pat worked tirelessly to create a home for her family; always kept a job, often two or three at once. For several years, she and Les owned and operated the Herman Café, where she was able to share her gift of cooking. Food was definitely her love language. After they sold the restaurant, Pat continued to stay in the business of preparing meals for people, cooking at Dana College, Ft. Calhoun School and running a successful catering business for many years.  Many, if not most, will recall Pat's cooking for the joy she got from feeding people. Pat always welcomed anyone in for a meal, over the years, often without the slightest of heads up. The meal was always good and if you walked away hungry, it was your own fault.

Perhaps Pat's greatest joy in life were her grandchildren Brady, Riley and Josie. She always made time to spend with them, either with a visit or following them around to ball games, FFA functions or of course, rodeos. Patty was their biggest fan and greatest advocate.

Pat continued working until 2023, mainly at Fox Ridge Apartments, for over 20 years. In September of 2023 Patty retired and moved to Holt County, Nebraska where she spent nearly a full year of multigenerational living in O'Neill with Riley and Jenna. Their living arrangement, while awkward, produced many funny stories and fond memories.

Family and faith were the cornerstones of Patty's life. She was baptized on May 19, 1944, and confirmed in the Lutheran Church of Orum. She taught Sunday School at the United Methodist Church in Herman for many years. Her relationship with her Lord and Savior was very important and deeply intimate but had grown spiritually and often seized the opportunity to share the Lord's word with others.

Patty is survived by her two children Mary (Tracy) Oliver and Jim (Susan) Wakefield, two grandchildren Josie Oliver (Gabe Neher) and Riley James Wakefield (Jenna Dallyn), one  brother Kenneth (Bonnie) Wulf, one  sister Denise Therkelson and cousins, nephews, nieces and a lifetime of special friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years Leslie Thomas Wakefield, her grandson Brady Thomas Wakefield, parents Bob and Donna Wulf, and parents-in-law Warren and Marjorie Wakefield.     

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