Patty Ann was born to Virgil H. Fredricks and Mildred E. Yost Fredricks of Glenvil on November 26, 1949 in Hastings, Nebraska, the fourth of five children. She passed away on Friday, March 22, 2019 at Bryan West Hospital in Lincoln, at the age of 69.

Patt attended the one-room Willowdale School through the 8th grade and was a member of the first graduating class of Sandy Creek High School in 1968. She graduated with a B.A. in English from Dana College in 1972, and married John M. Lentfer of Bruning on August 5, 1972. She obtained further educational certification at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

The couple first moved to Elba, where Patt taught high school English, and then lived in Grand Island, Omaha, and Hebron before settling in Bruning to farm. Patt was a devoted educator for the first half of her career, finishing as the gifted/enrichment teacher at Geneva Elementary School. Since 2001, she served as the Executive Director of the Fillmore County Development Corporation until her retirement on November 30, 2018. Patt and John stopped farming in 2001 and bought Shickley Irrigation in 2002. They moved to Geneva in 2011.

Patt had three children, Jennifer, Jacob, and Preston. One of her greatest gifts to them was to share her love of learning. She enjoyed supporting them in 4-H, music, and sports into their college years. The lights of Patt’s life were her three grandchildren: Easton, Eli and Drake.

Patt was a “do-er” in her community, a lover of the arts, and an avid reader. She set a gorgeous table and served delicious meals to her family and friends. Patt was a regular blood donor, served as a Meals on Wheels volunteer, was an active Nebraska Pork Producers member, and was a choir member at Dana College and every church of which she was a member. At Trinity Lutheran in Bruning, Patt was a member of Circle 5 and a Sunday school and Bible school teacher. An always-encouraging friend, she could be found out on the town once a month with her “MOTL” (Mothers on the Loose) Club. Many will remember her for her kindness, creativity, and loyalty.

Patt is preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Mildred Fredricks, aunt Helen and husband Bud Frickey, and uncle Ray Fredricks, brother Dave Fredricks, niece Jodie Fredricks, and father-in-law Julius Lentfer, Jr.

She is survived by her husband John of Geneva, daughter Jennifer of Washington, D.C., son Jacob, wife Chelsea, and grandsons Easton and Eli of Manhattan, Kansas, son Preston, wife Camie, and grandson Drake of Gibbon, and mother-in-law Lillian Lentfer of Bruning. She is also survived by brother Alan Fredricks and wife Carolyn of Hastings, sister-in-law Sue Fredricks of Hastings, sister Kay Davis and husband Ron of Blue Hill, brother Paul Fredricks and wife Ronna of Glenvil, aunt Mary Fredricks and cousin Myra Fredricks of Hastings, brother-in-law Alan Lentfer and wife Debby of Thornton, Colorado, sister-in-law Audrey Shaneyfelt and husband Randy of Loch Lloyd, Missouri, and brother-in-law Scott Lentfer and wife Marlene of Kearney. Patt was aunt to 17 beloved nieces and nephews and 24 grand nieces and nephews.

Memorials can be made in Patt’s name to the Fillmore County Foundation, P.O. Box 313, Geneva, Nebraska, 68361.
The Farmer & Son website for her memorial is here: 
https://www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Patty-Lentfer/#!/TributeWall