Jeannette Patchak

Loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Jeannette “Jan” Hazel Patchak, passed away August 5, 2024. She died peacefully at her home in Aurora, Colorado surrounded by family. She was 96 years old at the time of her passing.

Jan was born on February 25, 1928 to John and Lydia Ter Maat in Kohler, Wisconsin. When she was a small child, her family moved to Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In her teen years she enjoyed “going down by the lake” with her friends, spending hot summer days lounging on the beach and sailing. In high school, she was a cheerleader, avid photographer for the year book and enjoyed when her father would use his extra gas rations to take her and her friends to away football games. Jan graduated from Sheboygan Central High School in 1946. 

After graduation, she dreamed of becoming a stewardess, but had never been in a plane. She asked around and found a pilot to take her flying. That pilot’s name was Walter Patchak. The rest as they say, is history.

Jan married Walter C Patchak in 1948. She never became a stewardess, but traveled the world with her family during Walter’s military service. They eventually settled in Aurora, Colorado in 1965. Jan’s passion for travel took her to places like Korea, Italy, Germany, Poland, Australia, India and much of the US. She continued traveling into her 90’s, taking a cruise to Iceland, Norway and Belgium when she was 95 years old. 

A lifelong football fan, she looked forward to football season every year and spent most chilly Sundays cheering for her favorite football team, the Packers (and occasionally the Broncos). Beyond her travel adventures and football, Jan is remembered for her fierce independence, warm heart, compassionate nature, love for animals, and the absolute joy she found in collecting Polish pottery. She is survived by her daughters, Phyllis Dibbern (Dave) and Lori Sanderson; seven grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Jan was preceded in death by her son, Neil Patchak, and her husband, Walter.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Peace with Christ Lutheran Church; 3290 S Tower Rd., Aurora, CO. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Jan’s memory can be made to The Salvation Army.