Patricia Louise Oltz

LEON, Wis. - Patricia Louise Oltz, 80, of Watersmeet, Mich., died suddenly at her winter home in Leon, on Monday, Feb. 19, 2018.

Patricia grew up in Lake Villa, Ill., daughter of Arthur and Clara (Schwandt) Smejkal. At a young age, she worked at a horse stable. It was there that she fostered her love for horses. Later, she met Edmund Oltz Jr., whom she married on April 8, 1961. Edmund preceded her in death in May of 2003. They made their home in Round Lake, Ill., where they raised their three children. They retired in Watersmeet and lived there many years.

Patricia was a kind, compassionate, loving wife, mom, grandma, and great grandma. She had a love of animals, especially dogs and horses. She loved nature and living on the lake in Upper Michigan where she was a Loon Ranger and a member of the American Legion Women's Auxiliary.

Survivors include two her daughters, Betty (Chuck) Cummings and Holly (Chuck) Deery; her son, Mike (Kamie) Oltz; grandchildren: Jim (Brooke) Cummings, Cathy Cummings, Alexis and Nick Deery, and Leanna and Ed Oltz. She is further survived by a great-grandson, Andrew Cummings; her sister, Susan (Paul Heller) Coles, and her brother, Art (Mary) Smejkal, their children, Ari, David, Rachel and Rebecca. Now and always the family loves you and misses you more than words can say.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edmund, and her parents, Arthur and Clara Smejkal.

A funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23, at the Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, Wis., with Reverend Mark Kvale officiating. (Please note there will be a memorial service in Watersmeet, Mich., later this spring.)

Visitation for Patricia will be on Friday at the funeral home from 3 p.m. until the time of services. Online condolences may be offered at schanhoferfh.com.

Whatever the goal we're pursuing, no matter how rugged the climb, we're certain to get there by trying our best, and taking one day at a time. "Forever" is hard to imagine,"the future" may seem far away, but every new dawn brings a wonderful chance to do what we can on that day.

The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.