Patricia M. “Patty” Wilden

Patricia “Patty” Wilden

January 24, 1949 – October 8, 2024

Patricia “Patty” Wilden was born January 24^th, 1949, in the middle of a blizzard in Geneva, Nebraska.  She died October 8^th, 2024, on a sunny Fall Day in Omaha.  Patty died in her own home surrounded by friends and family.  She is preceded in death by her beloved mother Alice Waltemade and her father, Frederick Waltemade. She is survived by her spouse Dennis Wilden; three adult children: Dr. Jessica Wilden (Adam Smith), and Matthew Wilden (Jennifer Rees) both in Minneapolis. Daughter Sarah Wilden is in Los Angeles. She is also survived by brother Fred Waltemade (Kim Chi) of Westminster, CA; sister Nancy Mendoza, Honolulu, HI and three grandchildren: Evelyn Wilden, Willem Wilden and Olivia Wilden of Minneapolis.  The extended family includes several brothers and sisters-in-law, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Patty grew up in Geneva, graduated from Geneva High School where she was a clarinet player in the band. She attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work.  At college she met Dennis Wilden.  The two married October 10^th, 1975.  Dennis’ work in broadcast journalism led to multiple moves in their early years.  They lived in Lincoln, NE; Ames, IA; Rochester, NY; Sacramento, CA; and Los Angeles, CA before returning to Nebraska in 1990.

When the children were young, Pat worked as a stay-at-home mom.  When she re-entered the workforce, it was always in a medical setting where she did insurance verification and scheduling.

Politics, travel and murder mysteries were favorite interests for Pat.  A high point that combined politics and travel was her trip to the Women’s March in 2016 with daughter Jessica and sister Nancy. Pat made multiple trips to Hawaii, Colorado and Las Vegas.  She and Dennis took a train ride across Canada; a cruise to Mexico; and three trips to Europe, including an 18-day Viking cruise.  A three week visit to Australia ranks among their most favorite.  Back at home another of Pat’s favorites was following Husker Football with dear friends Karen Brock and Jack Fudge.

Patty loved Christmas more than any other day of the year.  That love matched only by the feelings she had for multiple pet dogs, including Cody and the current reigning champ, Murphy.

Patty’s story would be incomplete without noting that for most of her life she suffered from epilepsy. It is a persistent, relentless disease that can drop you to your knees in a split second, and in Pat’s case it increasingly did so as she got older. But through it all she never allowed the disease to define who she was and how she would lead her life.

She will be missed dearly.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the medical professionals and staff at Nebraska Medicine and the Epilepsy Center, especially Dr. Haley Phillips and Dr. Erin Cameron-Smith.

Memorials are kindly suggested to the Epilepsy Foundation.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Monday, October 14, 2024, 10:30 AM, St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church, 16701 S Street, Omaha, VISITATION: 9:45-10:30AM.

INTERMENT: Benkelman, NE

To view a live Broadcast of the Mass, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click on the “LiveCast” button at the top of the homepage.