Patricia A. Kobza

Patricia Ann Reznicek was born March 19, 1936, in Octavia, Nebraska to parents Cyril and Marie. Her family included sisters Betty and Jeanette, brother Joe, and two brothers, Larry and Donnie that died very young. She attended Octavia Grade School until third grade. From there, the family moved to a farm outside of Surprise, Nebraska, where she finished grade school. She then attended Ulysses High School and graduated second in her class. During her high school years, she was a cheerleader and majorette, and was active in sports, music, and 4-H Clubs. Throughout her life, she maintained her connections and friendships with those high school friends. Soon after graduation, Pat set out on her first of many “traveling the world” experiences. She and a close friend boarded a train to visit family in California. This adventure left a lasting memory about which she often spoke.

After attending Concordia College in Seward, Nebraska, she taught “country school,” grades 1-8 at Rising Sun School and also in Surprise. She always carried and shared special memories from those early years. Attending community and wedding dances was a special and common social event. It was at one of these dances that she met a handsome and special young man named Bernie Kobza, and the rest is History!

Pat and Bernie were married on June 4, 1957, at Immaculate Conception Church in Ulysses, Nebraska. It was an all-day event that included a wedding breakfast, lunch, mass, dinner, and dance late into the evening. After a wedding night spent at the motel in Wahoo, Nebraska, they started their life-time journey on a two-week honeymoon exploring the Black Hills area, seeing the sights, and fishing.

As a newly married woman growing up on the farm, moving to Omaha was an opportunity of which she often spoke. She embraced a modern kitchen, appliances, close neighbors, convenient shopping, and indoor plumbing! She was sold on this new life! Pat and Bernie always embraced the neighbors and communities in which they lived. They lived in homes in the mid-town area near Cathedral, Benson, and the Benson Gardens neighborhoods. Pat worked at Mutual of Omaha for a year, again making many friends. She then embarked on fulfilling her life long calling to be a wife and mother. Kim was born in 1958, Tim in 1961, Jeff in 1962, and Maribeth in 1966.

Pat soon established herself as an active member of St. Pius X Church and School. As her kids reached school age she sought out a way to become involved in their school. What better way than to become a substitute teacher at St. Pius X?! At the time we only had one car, so on the days when the call came at the last minute, she would hop on the school bus and ride with the kids to school!! When the opportunity came that the school needed a full-time secretary, she jumped at it. She welcomed each and every student and family that came into the school office. She kept those relationships and connections close throughout her entire life. Her fellow teachers and administrators were not only co-workers, but also became very dear friends. After “retiring” from her position as secretary, she became the Alumni Director, a task that was a natural fit for her.

Throughout her life she enjoyed raising her children, home making, piano playing and teaching, fishing, gardening, canning, bingo, casinos, good food and good drink – always with family and friends. As we children grew up and spread out across the world, she was the first to make plans to visit each and every place. These travels took her to Iowa, Colorado, Texas, California, Minnesota, Germany, France, Czechoslovakia, India, Thailand, Norway, Switzerland, Denmark and the Philippines.

Mom had a way of connecting with every new person she met. It was an interview of sorts ... where are you from? What school did you go to? Where do you work? Do you know so and so? And soon she would have made the connection. “6 degrees of separation” in her world was down to 4 or 5! She enjoyed spending many hours keeping up with all of her network through Face Book postings.

Even though Mom became a great collector of all kinds of “stuff,” her proudest and most treasured possession was always her family!

Becoming grandma / nana was a bonus chapter in her life. That was true even though, when she was first told she was going to be a grandma, she insisted, “No! I’m too young for that!” She was a loving, nurturing nana, enjoying her grandchildren as they grew up, and being a part of their lives no matter where in the world they were. And then, to become a great-grandma was an extra bonus!

To all of you who were so dear to mom – both family and friends – we know you will miss her and will keep her memory with you.

We want to thank all of the caring staff at Brookestone Meadows. You became her family in her “home away from home!” Through all stages of her care, rehab, skilled care, and hospice, you took care of mom and all of her family with skill, humor, respect, and dignity. You are the best!

Mom, we are eternally grateful to you for the life that you gave us, the example of loving family, and the importance of community. Also for your words, “Take one day at a time and find as much joy in it as possible.”

We love you forever, Mom!

 Kim, Tim, Jeff, and Mari

Preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Bernie; grandson, Bernie Jackson. Survived by her children, Kim (Jim) Jackson, Tim (Melissa Klein) Kobza, Jeff (Jill) Kobza and Maribeth (John) Betton; grandchildren, Ben (Mike Zabawa) Jackson, Emily (Jack) Kennedy, Pat (Jessica) Jackson, Jake Kobza, Luke Kobza, Josh Betton, and Eli Betton; great-grandchildren, Len, Cece, and Sam; her extended family and many dear friends both near and far.

MASS of Christian Burial, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at 10:30am at St. Pius X Catholic Church with interment in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.

 VISITATION with the family begins, Monday, July 29, 2024, after 5:00pm at church with a WAKE Service at 7:00pm. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Pius X Catholic Church, or the Servants of Mary.