Patricia Kathryn Skyles' Obituary
Pat was born on June 26th, 1929, as Patricia Kathryn Betlach to Frank and Mildred Betlach, in St. Louis Missouri. When she was delivered, she was thrusts into her into her mother’s arms and the Dr. exclaimed, “Here’s your Patsy.” Pat was the oldest of the four Betlach children. She was followed by Jackie, David and Fran Betlach. Pat was raised in St Louis surrounded by many loving aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins. After high school, Pat attended a trade school and learned how to operate a very sophisticated comptometer. Then she went to work at Krye Packing Company and later on, the railroad.
One day while filling her car with gasoline. She met a handsome young man named Roland Skyles. It was love at first sight. Pat was so flustered that she drove off with the nozzle still attached to the car. That led to an exchange of information and a romance ensued. They soon married in St Louis at St Paul’s Catholic Church on October 15, 1955.
Pat and Roland began their lives together in St Louis. Pat soon left the railroad to be a stay-at-home mom to her two daughters Kim and Joan. A job in finance opened in Kansas City and Roland relocated the family to Kansas. Pat and Roland continue to enlarge their family with another baby girl, Sandy. The Skyles family lived in Kansas for five years, until the pull of a new job and the opportunity to be close to family drew them back to St Louis.
Pat was happy to be back with her extended family especially her sister, Jackie and her two brothers David and Fran. Pat took advantage of being close to family by planning family get togethers and “cousin trips” for all the nieces and nephews. There was not a holiday that went by that was not marked with an extravagant fun filled party for one and all. When it came to celebrations, Pat’s moto was, “The more the merrier”. The Christmas season was Pat’s favorite, she celebrated every aspect of the season, starting with the Feast of St Nicholas, the Twelve days of Christmas, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and even the Epiphany.
The Families stay in St Louis only lasted ten years, until once again the family packed up and moved. This time to Tulsa. Pat continued to take care of her family but added a part time job and volunteering to her many activities. The family continued to grow when Kim married Bill Yancey and gave Pat and Roland their first two grandsons. Brad and Kristopher Yancey. Next Joan married Tim O’Toole. The final addition to the family happened when Sandy married Perry Marler and they gave Pat and Roland their only granddaughter, Kelly. The family experienced loses with Roland passing away in 1993 and Kim in 2019.
Pat continued to host many celebrations with her family. But the celebrations she enjoyed the most were welcoming her four great-grandchildren into the fold. Brad and Lindsay blessed her with Amelia and Jamison. Kris and Crystal blessed her with Jade, and Kelly and Wyatt blessed her with Colt. Towards the end of her life Pat had difficulties with her memory but she remembered those great-grand babies. She always perked up and became a loving grandparent when they were around.
Pat had a wonderful life. She spent her later years volunteering at Broken Arrow Neighbors food pantry and Broken Arrow Neighbors read to feed program. Whenever there was a need, she would be the first to say, “How can I help”.
Pat will truly be missed by family and friends.
We will miss you dearly mom. Love your family.
The funeral service will be 10:00 AM, Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at Floral Haven Funeral Chapel and the graveside service will follow at 12:30 PM at Fort Gibson National Cemetery
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