Patricia “Pat” Wiese, of Prior Lake, passed away suddenly at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 77. A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2019 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (4565 Pleasant Street SE) in Prior Lake. Mass of Christian Burial is Friday, March 15, 2019 at 11:00 AM with visitation from 9:30 – 11:00 AM at Pax Christi Catholic Community (12100 Pioneer Trail) in Eden Prairie. Father Bill Murtaugh will preside, and Pat’s niece & nephews will act as urn bearers. Pat will be laid to rest at a private family interment at St. Ann e ’s Catholic Cemetery in Le Sueur.
On April 11, 1941, Joseph & Bessie ( Kuchynka ) Koktavy celebrated the birth of their daughter, Patricia Ann Koktavy . Pat was the youngest of three and the only girl in her family. She was more than a decade younger than her brothers George and Bob, but she loved them dearly. Pat grew up in Le Sueur, and she made many lifelong friends in her hometown. During high school, Pat was involved in many activities with her favorite being school plays.
At just 14 years old, Pat began working outside the home. Her father got her a job at the Green Giant factory. Pat worked hard and saved her money to put towards her education. After graduating from Le Sueur High School in 1959, Pat attended the Minnesota School of Business where she earned her Associates Degree.
Pat began working full time for NSP Energy (later XCEL ). She worked her way up to becoming an Industrial Relations Administrator. Pat spent the next 37 ½ years with the company. She loved her coworkers and enjoyed negotiating contracts and working with the labor unions.
As a young woman, Pat met the love of her life at a local dance. His name was Ron Wiese. Pat and Ron hit it off immediately, and their love blossomed quickly. On November 16, 1963, they exchanged wedding vows at St. Ann e ’s Catholic Church in Le Sueur.
By 1968, they had made Prior Lake their home. Pat and Ron kept beautiful gardens in their yard with Ron focusing on the vegetables, and Pat tend ing to the flowers. Their yard was always full of wild life with birds, deer and ducks visiting daily. Pat & Ron watched their neighborhood grow and develop over the years , and they made many wonderful friends along the way.
Pat was such an active woman. She was the member of a card club, book club, hooking club and garden club. She did yoga at the Y and frequently visited the History Center and Arboretum. Pat was also an avid knitter. She made beautiful sweaters and hats. In retirement, Pat even worked part-time at a local yarn store. She also loved golfing. She was a member of the New Prague Golf Course for 36 years. Pat & Ron loved spending an afternoon out on the links, and they enjoyed an annual golf trip with their friends from Black Dog.
Although Pat had many hobbies and interests, family & friends were most important in her life. She and Ron traveled to across the country to spend time with family and friends in Arizona, California and Oklahoma. She never missed a birthday and was always there to lend a helping hand.
Pat was a wonderful woman with a kind heart. She will be deeply missed and remembered always by her husband of 55 years, Ron Wiese; niece & nephews, Gary Koktavy , Kati Koktavy , John Koktavy , Peter (Amanda) Koktavy ; great-nieces, Clair & Oliva. Pat was greeted in Heaven by her parents; brothers, George (Helen) Koktavy & Bob (Mavis) Koktavy ; nephew, Kevin Koktavy .
