Patricia Oliver
Obituary
Patricia "Patti" Lettau
Oliver passed away on Sunday (Feb. 4, 2018) after a long battle with
Alzheimer's disease.
Patti was born on April 30, 1953, in
Newton to Florene and Gene "Gus" Lettau. She attended
Newton High School, where she was head cheerleader, Homecoming Queen
and the best-looking girl in school. She graduated from Newton High
in 1971.
She went on to study Human Development
and Family Living at the University of Kansas in Lawrence and
received her bachelor's degree in 1975.
In 1977, she married Craig Oliver, her
childhood sweetheart. In 1978, Patti and Craig moved from her beloved
Lawrence to Springfield, Missouri; there, she worked for Commerce
Bank and later Centerre Bank, where she worked until the birth of
their first child, Caitlin Rose, in 1987. In 1989, she gave birth to
their second child, Anne Christian.
Patti was a wonderful and attentive
mother and loved her girls more than anything.
A natural athlete, Patti excelled at
track in her teen years; later, she enjoyed skiing, playing tennis
and working out at St. John's Fitness Center, where she made many
friends. Perpetually active and energetic, Patti also enjoyed doing
yard work and hauling the family's recyclables to the Springfield
Recycling Center, which was one of her favorite places in
Springfield.
Her cheerful, genuine manner and innate
wit and creativity were admired by many. She showed great kindness
and compassion for every person she encountered; thus, her daily
orbit brimmed with people who loved being in her presence. When she
had spare time, Patti adored sharing a late afternoon beer and lively
conversation with her best friend, Mary Powell Lawson.
She is preceded in death by her
parents, Florene Rutschman Lettau and Gene Lettau; and her dear
friend, Mary Powell Lawson.
She is survived by her husband, Craig
Oliver; her two daughters, Caitlin Rose Oliver and Anne Christian
Oliver; brothers, Randy Lettau and wife, Cheryl, and Daryl Lettau and
wife, Angie; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at 10
a.m. Friday (Feb. 9, 2018) at King's Way United Methodist Church,
2401 S. Lone Pine, Springfield, Missouri, under the direction of the
Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home, with the Pastor Laura Murphy
officiating. A second service will be held at 10:30 a.m. the
following Monday (Feb. 12, 2018) in Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests
memorial contributions to the Springfield Recycling Center, Smile
Train International or the Alzheimer's Association.
Permanent online condolences, stories
and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.
