Patsy (Pat) Ann Tobias died peacefully on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. She was born on April 7, 1929 to Harold and Ella Schnack. She graduated from Prescott High School. She married LaVerne Tobias on June 22, 1948. They had four children: Jack, Jim, Judy, and Jeanne Ann. She was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society and Parent Teacher’s Association. Mom was also a Girl Scout Leader and a Steward for the Union at Smead’s Manufacturing, where she worked for 20+ years. She enjoyed cooking, baking, fishing, deer hunting, playing cards, going to the casino, gardening, and making meals for friends and relatives who were sick.
Christmas (which included Santa Claus delivering presents), Easter (and the egg hunts … trying to find the “golden” egg which had $5 in it), and birthdays were always a VERY special time at our home. Mom was very handy and creative. She made ceramic “baby booties” for many, many people. A cherished treasure! She used to can tomatoes, peaches, beans, pickles, freeze apple pies, and corn. Her fried chicken and gravy were the best!!! Also, her beef/pork roast was mighty tasty. One of Mom’s specialties was “coffee cake.” Mouth-watering! Mom won a car at the Guardian Angels Fall Festival. Pretty exciting! Mom knitted afghans for all of us kids and for all the grandkids. Mom enjoyed a fun trip to Germany with her cousin, Marie, AND a wonderful Alaskan adventure with Judy and Gene (even went white water rafting). She even got to see Elvis in concert with Mary.
Many summers were enjoyed at Middle Eau Claire Lake in Barnes, Wis. We all went fishing, looking for deer, swimming (she swam across the lake 1 mile two different years), blueberry picking and EATING her blueberry pie. One summer Gene gave her a ride in our airplane named “Wilga” without the doors on over Middle Eau Claire Lake and the “hunting square.” Even though the 90mph wind was blowing in Mom’s face (she was sitting in the back seat) she had a great time and talked about it for weeks! The winters included deer hunting, delicious Thanksgiving meals, Christmas celebrations, knitting dishcloths, playing cards, and shaking dice. Mom was able to go to fishing in Canada several years where her luck of catching the most and BIGGEST fish in the group continued.
When Mom was 70, on a whim, she applied for a position at Hallmark. She got the job and made good friends with the ladies there who affectionately became known as “The Hallmark Girls.” (They gathered for lunch on a monthly basis and had a lot of laughs). Mom enjoyed sitting in the glow of her Christmas tree lights each year. Older age became challenging for Mom. However, she insisted on continuing to do her own laundry and balance her checkbook. She achieved her goal of staying in the home that her and Dad built in 1960! She drove to The Hair Affair for what would be her last appointment in River Falls on Oct. 4. She filled up her gas tank at Holiday for the last time and went shopping at Walmart on Oct. 5. She had also filled her daily pill container for two weeks. Nita delivered the St. Joe’s bulletin to her on Oct. 7. She got sick on Oct. 9.
Mom was so very grateful to the following people: Deacon Jerry Rynda, Dr. Norell, Alice, Patti, Cindy, Maria, Kathleen, Mary Ellen, Char & Ken, Dar & Pete, Bryan & Michelle, Lauren, Janie, JoAnne, Dook & Nita, Delores S., Delores H., Mary & Joe, Betty, Tom & Jo, the Hallmark Girls, Gottie, Ptacek’s IGA, Subway, Holiday, and Dairy Queen employees. Mom was a good daughter, wife, mother, friend, neighbor, grandma and great grandma. She was well loved and will be remembered by many.
Survived by: Jack (Mary), Judy (Gene Skenandore), Jeanne Ann (Kent Voelker), Jeanne Tronnier Tobias, five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Ella Schnack; husband, LaVerne Tobias; son, Jim Tobias; and brother, Donald Schnack.
A private Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Nov. 18, 2023, which was opening day for Wisconsin deer hunting 2023 … how appropriate! Memorials preferred for Masses at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 715-262-5310 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, stjude.org/wemissyou to donate on line or call 1-800-276-8340. Please go to: http://oconnellfuneralhomes.com and click on obituaries, search for Pat Tobias to view photos online.
