Patricia L. Obletz

Artist Activist Author

Patricia L. Obletz, age 83, born on January 7, 1943 in Buffalo, NY, departed this life on January 9, 2026, in Milwaukee, WI. She was the dear daughter of the late Clarence and Blanche (Steinhorn) Obletz of Buffalo NY. Patricia was predeceased by her much loved siblings, sister Geraldyn Obletz of Buffalo, NY and brother Michael Obletz of Campbellsport WI. She is survived by her nephew Jacob (Jolee Walker) Obletz and niece Eta (Henoch) Duboff, by sisters-in-law Cynthia Obletz and Karen Lupa, by ten grandnieces and grandnephews, three great-grandnephews, and by many cousins. She will be sorely missed by her numerous colleagues in the fields of art, social and political activism, civil rights, and diversity advocacy. Above all, Patricia served as a champion for increased attention to mental health issues.

Patricia was reared in Buffalo, NY, in a close-knit family with a dedication to medicine, research, and philanthropy. After earning a BA in history and art history at New York University and studying life drawing and painting at Parsons School of Design, Patricia traveled extensively and worked in the art field in Manhattan, Chicago and ultimately, starting in 2004, in Milwaukee. She founded her business "Oils by Obletz" to exhibit and sell her works. Patricia drew and painted prodigiously and yet saw herself foremost as a social commentarian, communicating ideas through drawing, painting, writing and editing.

Patricia volunteered as a writer/editor with PeaceOfMind @ MilwaukeeRenaissance.com, a canvasser for Citizen Action of Wisconsin, and a member of the president's diversity council at the Milwaukee Area Technical College.

A life-long lover of dogs and horses, a trait she shared with her family, Patricia always had a canine companion by her side.

Patricia's commitment to mental health advocacy, particularly for children, was reflected in her over 20 years of service on the Psychiatric Advocacy Committee at Children's Wisconsin (in Milwaukee) as well as in personal connections to mental health patients. She conversed with Robert Chayer, MD, and Tracy Oerter, MS, at Children's sharing their goal of integrating mental health services with other medical care, and took the time to make a bequest to this group before her death. In lieu of flowers or other remembrances, please consider a donation to Children's Wisconsin.

https://plannedgiving.childrenswi.org/contact-us

A memorial service will be held Sunday, April 12, 2026 from 1:00-4:00 pm at Patricia's home.