Pat M Wertz

At the age 99, Pat Wertz died after countless years of affection and generous attention to her friends and family.  Pat gave up her life to her Creator on August 1, 2022.  Her cremains will be with her husband and daughter in Kansas City, Missouri.

Pat was born in Horatio, Arkansas, the youngest of three sisters and four brothers.  Completing High School in Granby, Missouri, she attended Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.  On December 3, 1944 she was married to Chet Wertz at Fort Lee, Petersburg, Virginia.  Following his discharge from the U.S. Army Signal Corps, she moved with him to the Kansas City Area.

Pat was employed seven years by Transworld Airlines (TWA), after which she became a homemaker to nurture newborn daughter Deborah in her formative years and through Northwest Missouri State College.

When Debbie entered High School, Pat gave her energies to volunteering.  This led to employment as a pharmacy technician at Baptist Hospital, later at St. Joseph Hospital, and finally at the Country Club Pharmacy.

In the late seventies, she found a niche and worked beyond her 88^th birthday as a Legal Guardian, Conservator and Power of Attorney – a friend and caregiver to needy wards living at home or in nursing homes.  This largely filled her time in looking after those needing special attention - usually provided by attentive relatives - effectively creating intimate friendships with her wards. 

Her gift for this work, and her love of it, allowed her to overcome the doubters and skeptics (even adversaries) among prospective wards and relatives and win their trust with characteristic patience and affection.  Always it came back to Pat in kind.

She had been a member of the John Knox Kirk since the early days after its founding.  She was for many years active in PTA and other school functions.  She supported her youthful granddaughters in their school, church, and musical activities, and made possible their participation in Scouting and Brownie programs as well as attending colleges.

Pat is survived by granddaughters Cecily Robertson and Giulietta Wertz-Best; also by many nieces and nephews and their extended families.

Pat surely would like to thank her many friends and thoughtful neighbors and her extended family at the Kirk as well as The Missouri Baptist Home in Ozark.  Their abiding love and affection so enriched her long life.

Arrangements are under the direction of Adams Funeral Home, Ozark.  According to Pat’s wishes, cremation rites were accorded by Adams Crematory. Contributions are suggested to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, to the John Knox Kirk Memorial Fund or to charities of the donor’s choice.