Patricia Jeanne Heal Jeffries, 89, of Shawano, died on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018, in Green Bay. She was born April 9, 1928, in Shawano, the daughter of the late Byron F. Heal and the late Jeanne Parrette Heal Donald. She attended schools in Shawano, graduating from Shawano High School in 1946. She attended MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied journalism and was a member of Eta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She spent summers working at her mother’s business, The Shawano Evening Leader.
On July 6, 1948, Patricia was married to Dr. Donald A. Jeffries in Shawano. They soon started their family. Shortly thereafter, they relocated to Granite City, Illinois, where she supported Donald during his Korean War service. They moved back to Shawano where they settled.
Patricia was baptized and confirmed at First Presbyterian Church of Shawano on April 11, 1941. Locally, she was an ordained elder, serving many terms, most recently in 2016. Within this role, she served on the worship committee (chairman), membership committee, mission commission (chairman), served on the pastoral nominating committee, and administered communion to shut-ins. At the Presbytery level, she served in the following capacities: missions validations sub-committee (chairman), and member of the committee on preparation for ministry. She was also an elder commissioner for Winnebago Presbytery to Synod of Lakes and Prairies. One of her favorite gifts to the church was to prepare and serve meals with her husband, Donald, to 70 local youth for their weekly LOGOS program. Over the years, she also provided the church with countless batches of homemade cookies.
Mrs. Jeffries was a member of the Shawano City-County Library Board for many years, and enjoyed reading to children during story hour. Additionally, she cherished her annual family camping trips, tending to her vegetable and flower gardens, hobby farming, cooking and canning. She had an open-door policy for the neighborhood, family, and friends.
Patricia’s roles as wife, mother and homemaker were her passion. Her love and dedication were unsurpassed.
Surviving are four daughters and their spouses: Jeanne Weiland, Black Creek; Ellen and Dr. Mark Heideman, Shawano; Anne and Daniel Miller, Shawano; Kathryn and Charles Felts, Shawano. Surviving granddaughters and their families are: Sarah and Raymond Hestres (children Sidney, Isabel, and Oliver), of Black Creek; Julie and Patrick Murphy (children Greta, Marie, and Bridget), of Bayside; Emily and Jordan Dale, of Green Bay; Patricia and Nicholas Mau, of Shawano; Dr. Hannah Miller, of Kansas City, Kansas; Rachel Miller, of Shawano; and Leah Miller, of Shawano. Surviving grandsons and their families are Daniel C. and Wendy Weiland (children Charlee and Christopher), of Chilton; Dr. Gregory and Sarah Heideman (children Lucy, Eleanor, and Audrey), of Brookfield; Dr. Paul and Kaitlyn Heideman, of Whitefish Bay, and Kurt Blythin, of Menomonee Falls.
Patricia is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Jacquelyn and Dr. Roger Harned of Omaha, Nebraska, and her sister-in-law and husband Mary and Mort Weiss of Lake Mary, Florida, as well as many special nieces and nephews.
Patricia was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; her son, Dr. Richard D. Jeffries; her parents; and a son-in-law, Daniel J. Weiland.
A memorial fund has been established.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2018, at First Presbyterian Church, Shawano with the Rev. Blake Blakesley officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the services.
Swedberg Funeral Home of Shawano is assisting the family with the arrangements.