Patty Vonesh

PORTAGE  --  Patty Vonesh, age 71, of Portage, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at Divine Savior Extended Care in Portage, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Memorial services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at the Seventh Day Adventist Church on Hwy. 33, Portage.  On this day you are welcome to share a remembrance of this beautiful woman.  The Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.

Patty was born on March 18, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Patsy and Angeline Longo.  She became a long time resident of Portage in the early 1990’s.  Throughout the years, she made a hobby of collecting.  Some of her favorite items to collect included Elvis, Betty Boop items and porcelain dolls, amongst many other things.  She enjoyed walking and spending time with her grandchildren and other children she cared for.  She devoted many of her years to the care of many children.  She became a very well known and well loved nanny to many children, who thought of her as a grandma of their own.  Patty enjoyed any outdoor activities.  She raised six children of her own, who enjoyed spending time with her.

She is survived by her children, Martha Dubrava, Arizona, Mary Dubrava, Arizona, Jeanne Longo, Portage, Michelle Maier, Portage, Crystal Longo, Portage, and Wayne (Linda) Baker, Mauston;  her grandchildren, Shelley Dubrava, Jennifer Dubrava, Courtney Dubrava, Hannah Dubrava, Ashley Frahm, Payge Colstad, Jakee Longo, Mia Longo, Carissa Longo, Haley Maier, Cameron Longo, Marissa Baker, Brooklyn Shumman, Brandy Shumman, and Isabella Clausen;  her great-grandchildren, Kirstianna Blackley, Callie Blackley, Nicholas Milton and Ava Rose;  other relatives and many friends.

She will be missed dearly and forever loved.