Patricia L. Woestman, 72, Carthage, Mo., passed away Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010, in St. John’s Regional Medical Center, Joplin, Mo.
Patricia Lou Hill was born Jan. 10, 1938, in Kansas City, Kan., the daughter of James Estell Hill and Myrtle Opal Elder Hill. She was a graduate of Shawnee Mission High School and took classes at Rockhurst College, Kansas City, Mo.
Mrs. Woestman was a senior accountant at Trans World Airlines in Kansas City, Mo., working downtown at 18th and Baltimore, in the “rocket building.” She married James Woestman on Aug. 17, 1963, in Kansas City, Mo., came to Carthage in 1964, moved to Joplin in 1965 and returned to Carthage in 1973. She served as treasurer of the Montre Investment Club since its founding in 1987. She was president of Woestman Enterprises, Inc. for over 30 years, a company that she ran with her husband. Pat was an avid reader, gardener (loved roses), enjoyed knitting and famous for her flaky crust pies. She was an avid football fan, watching pro and college games on television. She loved to drive convertibles, including the blue 1971 Oldsmobile 442 the family still owns. She was an avid genealogist and traced her family roots back over 500 years. She loved to travel, especially to Ireland and Germany to see the places where her and her husband’s ancestors once lived and some still reside. Her most famous relatives she found during her genealogy work included Robert Reed, most known for his work in The Brady Bunch and Major General Frederick Funston, who helped capture rebel leader, Emiliano Aquinaldo, during the Spanish American War and instrumental in the attempt to capture Pancho Villa during the Mexican Revolution.
She was a volunteer at her children’s elementary school activities, a Brownie Scout Troop Leader, secretary of the Broadview Swim Team for eight years and was most recently involved with serving as a member of the Carthage Park Board and a member of the Carthage R-9 School Board for nine years.
Survivors include her husband, James Woestman, Carthage; a daughter, Kelly Alicia Woestman, Pittsburg, Kan., and a son, Samuel Scott Woestman, Rogersville, Mo. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Stanley Hill.
A prayer service will be held from 6–6:15 p.m., Wednesday, March 3, 2010, in the Knell Mortuary Chapel with visitation following till 8 p.m. A funeral mass will be recited at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 4, 2010, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Carthage. Graveside services will follow in Park Cemetery, Carthage.
Memorial gifts are suggested to the Children’s Center, 921 E. 34th St., Joplin, Mo., 64804 or in care of Knell Mortuary, 308 W. Chestnut, Carthage, Mo., 64836.
Online condolences may be made to knellmortuary.com.
