Patricia Ann (Naessens) Wolgast

Wolgast, Patricia Ann (Naessens) Patricia was born to Raymond and Irene Naessens on October 17, 1926 in Merrill, Michigan. She died on June 29, 2014 at the age of 87 years surrounded by her loving family at New Hope Valley. She was the second of five children of Belgium and Irish descent and grew up on a farm just north of Merrill. She attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and Merrill High School. Two highlights as a teenager were working at a soda fountain and going out dancing with her high school girlfriends. Patricia was the devoted wife of Gerald Wolgast for 62 years. Her first commitment was to her husband and her sevin children. She was of the generation that sacrificed their own needs to be the ideal "homemaker" with homemade family meals every evening (which always included homemade pie, cake, cookies or other baked goods) even while managing the entire household. Patricia was a former member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Hemlock and was currently a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Despite her busy role in the family household, Patricia had been a member of St. Mary's Altar Society, a school volunteer, 4-H leader, St. Mary's Auxiliary member and a volunteer for hospice care for nearly twenty-five years. She traveled with her husband, Gerald, and they enjoyed summer homes at both Higgins Lake and in Petoskey. Her hobbies included knitting, golfing, domestic arts, snow skiing and piano. More recently, she loved belonging to the Red Hat Society. Patricia was the loving mother to Lynn Wolgast and wife Bebe; Patrick Wolgast and wife Gail; Darla Wolgast Romano and husband Richard; and Ann Denise Wolgast Sabo and husband Denny. Patricia was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald, and three sons, Kevin, Daniel and Mark Wolgast; a grandson, Matthew Wolgast and a great-grandson, Ashton Smith; two brothers, Raymond (Junior) Naessens and William Naessens; a brother-in-law, Ray Kenny. She is also survived by daughters-in-law, Karolyn (Wolgast) Goslin and her husband Craig; Sue (Wolgast) Kemerer; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; also her loving sisters, Mary Kenny and Kay (Ed) Matzke; her sister-in-law, Catherine Naessens; many cherished nieces and nephews and their families. Patricia's family wish to express Heartfelt thanks to her special caregivers, her sister, Kay Matzke, Jackie Turner and Melinda Lynch. The staff at Shattuck Manor, New Hope Valley and Southern Care Hospice all provided excellent care and the family is grateful for their kind services. Private funeral service will take place Thursday. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider Southern Care Hospice, 6272 State St., Saginaw MI, 48603 or the Alzheimer's Association, 3600 N Saginaw Rd, Midland, MI 48640 (989) 839-9910 or www.alz.org/donate. Arrangements by the W. L. Case and Company Funeral Directors, 4480 Mackinaw Rd. www.casefuneralhome.com

Funeral Home:
W. L. Case and Company Mackinaw Funeral Chapel
4480 Mackinaw Road
Saginaw, MI
US 48603