Patricia Lou Wanner

Patricia “Patty” Wanner, 75, of Wahpeton, North Dakota, passed away Friday, January 5, 2024, at St. Francis Hospital in Breckenridge, Minnesota.  Her service will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 10:30 am with visitation one-hour prior at Vertin-Munson Funeral Home in Wahpeton.  ChaplinChaplain Paul Peterson will preside.

On December 9, 1948, Patricia Lou Pankow was born to Arnold and Marjorie (Flados) Pankow in Breckenridge, Minnesota.  Patty attended school in Wahpeton, ND, and graduated in 1966.  While a student there she won the Betty Crocker award.  She would go on to St. Luke’s School of Nursing, graduating from the last class of 3-year RNs in 1969. 

In May of 1968, she married Daniel Wanner, and they were blessed with two children, Christopher and Caren.  Patty worked as an RN for many years, eventually returning to MSUM to obtain her BSN.  From there she taught nursing at NDSCS.  She spent 10 years living in Arizona, returning to North Dakota when her health began to decline. 

One of the biggest joys of Patty’s life was being Godmother to her baby sister Sophie in 1963.  Patty was also the Godmother to Juli (Hoesel) Mauch, Nicholas Pankow, Brandon Pankow, Lucas Mitzel, and Tyler Loll.  When Patty became a grandmother to Lila and Lana, they were her pride and joy.

Patty is survived by her children, Dr. Christopher (Dr. Melissa Touroutoutoudis) Wanner, Caren (Jerimy) Stanley; granddaughters, Lila and Lana; sisters, Ronda (Weldon) Hoesel, Dawn Pankow (Kevin Loll), brother, Kevin (Naomi) Pankow; brother-in-law, Scott Mitzel; many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arnold and Marjorie; and her sister, Sophie Mitzel.