Patricia Ann Frankhart

Patricia Ann Frankhart, 82, of Wausau, WI, died at home on May 16, 2023, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services. She was born in Detroit, the daughter of Mary and Edward Desilets, and grew up in Royal Oak, MI. A 1959 graduate of Clarence M. Kimball High School, she spent a year at Kalamazoo College before returning to the Detroit area and earning a bachelor's degree at the Detroit Institute of Technology. 

Set up on a blind date by mutual friends, she met David Frankhart over burgers at the Daly Drive-In in Livonia, MI, and spent the next 62 years with him. They lived in several Midwestern cities, including Cincinnati, where their daughter, Colleen, was born. The family settled in Wausau in 1973.

After Pat earned an associate degree in legal studies at Northcentral Technical College, some of her life's best moments - and a great majority of the profane ones - came during her many years as half of the team at the Lawson Law Office in Wausau. Other cherished times included June weeks with friends at Timber Shores Resort in Northport, MI; family Christmas celebrations in Wausau and Michigan; and summer days at Davenpatz on Lake Seventeen in Hazelhurst, WI.

Pat is survived by David; her daughter, Colleen (Timothy Mennel); her brother, Bill Desilets (Renée); countless friends who loved her sense of humor, her dinner parties, and her Christmas cookies; and many residents of Wausau who were touched by her generosity, whether they knew that it had come from her or not. She volunteered at John Marshall Elementary School, tutored Hmong immigrants, and supported community organizations including the Neighbors Place, the Women's Community, and the Open Door of Marathon County. 

At her request, no services will be held. Memorials preferred to the Open Door or the Friends of the Marathon County Public Library - and the Little Free Library placed in Pat's honor outside the Woodson YMCA always needs books.