Lydia Edith "Pat" Sheldon

Lydia E. ‘Pat’ Sheldon Lydia Edith ‘Pat’ Sheldon went to rest with our Lord on May 4, 2009, at Ness County Hospital. She was born Sept 3, 1937 in El Dorado Ks to Glenn Howard and Lydia M. ‘Pat’ (Arndt) Patterson. After her father died, her mother remarried to Richard Lindenman, he adopted her in 1952. In 1954 Pat married Elmer Lee Martin Jr. To this union were born 2 daughters, Lydia E ‘Sandi’ and Georgetta Marie. She and Jr divorced in 1957. Pat lived most of her life in Wichita Ks. She worked as a cocktail waitress, and also as a machinist at Beech Aircraft for many years. There she met D Max Sheldon, they were married in 1968. They adopted a son, Jason Matthew in August of 1971. Moved to Ness City in 1973. Jason passed away in March of 1976. They then adopted Michael Jon in 1978. She and Max divorced in 1981. Pat worked in Ness City as a secretary for Western Power aka Aquila Electric Office. She enjoyed this work, especially visiting with all those who came into the office and spending time with coworkers. She retired in 1994. She then moved to Mesa AZ to be near her cousins ‘the snowbirds from North Dakota’. She was really happy there and enjoyed that time with her family so much. Pat worked there for JP Morgan Chase as a secretary with the HMDA division. She suffered a stroke in October 2006, and was never able to return to work, so she retired in 2007. Pat then made the move back to Ness City to be near her daughter and family, of course ‘against her will’ at first, but then she realized it was all for the best. She enjoyed family more than anything, especially spending time with her grandson Blaine. Pat was a very loving Momma and ‘Namma’. She took the name of Namma when Blaine was born – she told us that she was not going to be called grandma (it made her feel too old), so she called herself Namma, (we wouldn’t have wanted to call her anything else – that was a perfect name for her). Pat was a very kind, caring, giving, generous individual. She was always making sure that everyone else was taken care of before herself. She definitely taught her family so many wonderful values that we will all carry with us forever. She always said, “follow your dreams, do what you think you need to do for yourself, and never lose sight of where you are going.� Also to never give up on our dreams – ever! She was also a good and dear friend to many through the Ness City Leisure Center. This was the highlight of her day to get to have lunch and a good card game, or play dominoes. Her favorite game was ‘chickenfoot’. And for goodness sake, (prior to her failing health issues) you were not allowed to contact her at all on Tuesday’s, as that was cards at Bazine in the afternoon, then cards in Ness that evening. She really enjoyed the time with her friends. Pat was also a huge animal lover. She had many ‘dogs’ over the years, but when she moved to Mesa she adopted a cat, even though she did not like cats, but soon ‘Vinny’ was her best friend and the love of her life. He even made the move back to Ness City with her, but died last year. Then she adopted two new kittens, Frick and Frack, these kittens gave her such enjoyment. She ended up calling them ‘Ricky’ and ‘Jr’, that was just Momma! These kittens were everything to her these past few months. Of course she also enjoyed watching and feeding the many birds, squirrels, and other animals that ventured into her yard. She truly loved sitting out on her back patio and enjoying the sights and sounds of the surroundings. She said many times over that she wished others could see all the true beauty of the land and things that God has given us. She often said this about AZ, when others couldn’t understand why she wanted to move to the desert. Pat was a Christian and was looking forward to spending time with her own mother and her son when she got to Heaven. It was important for her to know that she was going to be there to see her family and friends who had gone on before her. Pat truly loved life itself in all aspects, and was saddened as time went on that she could no longer do the things she used to do. At last, she has no more pain or suffering, she truly is happy in Heaven. She is survived by her son, Michael Jon and wife Lesley of Murray Utah, daughter, Lydia E ‘Sandi’ and husband Michael Maier of Ness City, grandchildren; Blaine M. Gabel and fiancée Traci Pitts of Hays, Michele Spainhower of Augusta KS, Melissa Maier of Seattle Wa, Whitnee Earl and Dillon Earl of Murray, Utah. Great-grandchildren; Marissa, Quentin and Jordyn Spainhower of Augusta Ks. She was preceded in death by a son, Jason Matthew Sheldon and a great grandson Skyler Patrick Earl. She was a member of St Lukes Lutheran Church of Bazine KS. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Monday, May 18, 2009 at 6:30 pm at the Fitzgerald Funeral Home in Ness City, Pastor Warren Prochnow will preside. Memorials be made to the Ness City Leisure Center or the Hospice of the Prairie.