J. Patricia Wangsgard

Patricia Wallace Wangsgard

After a long and productive life, Josephine Patricia Wallace Wangsgard, age 95, passed away in Ogden, Utah, on Sunday, September 23, 2012 with her family in attendance. Patricia was born on March 21, 1917, in San Francisco, to Josephine Wallace and John Weir Wallace. She attended schools in Lucin, Utah, and in Superior and Rock Springs, Wyoming, before graduating in 1934 from Pocatello High School. In following years she worked for the Emergency Relief Administration in Pinedale, Wyoming, for the Federal Land Bank of Omaha in Kemmerer, Wyoming, and for American Food Stores in Ogden. She attended Utah State Agricultural College, from 1937-1938.

On September 6, 1939, Patricia married Robert L. Wangsgard, of Huntsville, Utah, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple, initiating over 73 years of happy married life. They lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts for two years before returning to Ogden. Their son Robert Kent was born in Boston in 1940, and three daughters were born in Ogden: Lynne Patricia in 1943, Jo Ann in 1946, and Ruth Marie in 1950. Patricia''s father-in-law, Louis Wangsgard, was also a member of the family in Ogden for 17 years.

A loving wife, mother and grandmother, and a homemaker par excellence, Patricia opened her heart to many others. She served in presidencies of LDS Primary, Young Women''s, and Relief Society organizations and was a Relief Society visiting teacher for over 50 years. A lifetime member of the Girl Scouts, she led troops for 15 years from 1953 to 1968 and inspired many girls to see themselves as capable of achieving their goals and doing good for others. She belonged to and led the Ogden Ka€"Anns and Aglaia Clubs. In the 1960s she was a wonderful host mother to AFS exchange students Yukiko Yamamoto (Nagano) of Japan and Ruzin Cartel, of Turkey. Mrs. Nagano recently came from Tokyo to help celebrate Patricia''s 95th birthday. Patricia received recognition from Plan-USA for having supported children for over 30 years in the Philippines, Haiti and Columbia.

An avid reader from an early age, Patricia was skilled in handwork of all kinds, including quilting, china painting, silversmithing and dressmaking. She was also a superb writer and excellent correspondent. Many of the travels Patricia and Robert enjoyed were enhanced by her observant and often humorous reports. When asked for her advice as a woman, she wrote, "Keep your women friends, be truthful, and think about others."

Patricia is survived by her husband Robert; children, Kent (Carole) Wangsgard, Ogden; Lynne (Richard) Sadler, Dundee, Oregon; Jo Ann (Alan) Crane, Kenai, Alaska, and Gold Canyon, Arizona; and Ruth (Art) Nielsen, Layton, Utah; eight grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, sister, Olive Ann Wallace Freeman, of Rock Springs, Wyoming, and brother, John William Wallace, of Tucson, Arizona.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 28, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lindquist''s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.