Patricia Ann (Hackathorn) Wenzel passed away on February 3, 2022, at the age of 96. Her daughter Sue was with her, lovingly singing one of her favorite hymns and telling her it's okay to go to Jesus. It was a joyous meeting with her Lord and Savior Jesus in Heaven as she was reunited with her beloved parents, siblings, and precious three-year-old daughter. Patricia (Pat) was a dynamic and talented woman, an amazing devoted mother, grandmother, and a favorite aunt to her nieces and nephews. Born in Iowa on April 7, 1925 to Arthur and Loretta Hackathorn, Pat was the seventh of eight children. Her children enjoyed Pat's stories of growing up on farms in Centerville, Iowa. They were amazed at a life lived with no indoor plumbing or electricity. Yet, her family had a wonderful home life on the farms. Living through the depression, she was proud that they were so blessed that they never needed any government help − and were able to help others. Dark-haired Pat was very close in age to her beloved red-haired sister Helen. The sisters were sometimes called the Gold Dust Twins during weekly family trips to the Centerville town square. Pat lived the majority of her life in Aurora and North Aurora, since many family members had moved to Aurora to work in the defense plants during World War II. While many family members returned to Iowa post war, Pat settled in Illinois. She married Alvin Samuelson from Big Rock, a co-pilot in the Army Air Corps who lost his life on August 9, 1944 in WWII service to his country. After being widowed at age 19, she met and married Delmar Wenzel, and they had four children. Accepting the Lord as her Savior in the 1950s, Pat became involved in Claim Street Baptist Church as a leader and Sunday School teacher of an adult ladies' class. These ladies loved her teaching and many accepted the Lord as a result. A couple years ago, she and daughter Sue ran into twin ladies, Shirley and Sandy, who had been in Pat's class. After 50 years, they were excited to see their former teacher who taught them well and meant so much to them. Raised in a Christian atmosphere, Pat's children became very active in weekly church activities and also memorized many Bible verses. She encouraged all her children to "do right", guiding them to a strong relationship with God and Jesus as their Savior. She set a great example of the strength of a mother's love. While raising her four children, she also held a Good News Club in her house for neighborhood children − telling them stories about Jesus. Many of those children, now in their senior years, still remember the impact Mrs. Wenzel had on their lives. In 2004, the little village where Pat's first husband's plane was shot down, Perigny France, held a 60-year memorial service. Through the internet, they found and asked Pat if she would go to France and speak at the ceremony. Pat and her daughter Sue went on this fantastic trip where Pat gave a very moving speech to a group of about 200 village residents and government officials from the U.S. Embassy. Wonderful activities planned for the visiting Americans included banquets and a visit to Normandy battlefield. Still living in the village were three elderly residents who as young teens had witnessed the crash. One of them, Fernanda, told of how they found the silk parachute and her mother made her confirmation dress out of the material. Even after 60 years, many parts of the downed plane could still be seen − including a wing leaning against a barn. Pat had the experience of a lifetime and felt much gratitude to Yann Thomas, the young Frenchman who planned the event. Pat also researched, wrote, and completed a booklet about the history and genealogy of the Hackathorn family. She was able to trace the family back to 1600, Switzerland, and their 1741 voyage on the ship Patience to America. During their trip to France, Pat and Sue also went to Langenbruck, Switzerland to see where the family originated. Loved ones who mourn her passing and will miss her are her beloved children: Sue Grommes (Batavia, Illinois), Judy Schwartz (Essexville, Michigan), Jane Spence (Sandwich, Illinois) and Jeff (Cheryl) Wenzel (Lake Zurich, Illinois), along with 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Loretta Hackathon, and her siblings, Gale Hackathorn, Garnet Beary, Opal Fisher, Paul Hackathorn, Chet Hackathorn, Helen Hackathorn, and Bob Hackathorn. Patricia was also predeceased by two husbands: Delmar Wenzel and Alvin Samuelson, along with her young daughter Sally. A private service was held for immediate family. Thanks to Dunn Funeral Home in Oswego for their kind, thoughtful and professional help throughout every step of honoring our mother. Special thanks to Jeff Martz. If anyone has a memory of our mother, feel free to e-mail daughter Sue at sgrommes153@gmail.com.