Adele C. Heeter

Heeter, Adele C. (Pat)
Adele Caroline Patterson Heeter (Pat), 92, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of December 17, 2010 at Peabody Manor in Appleton. Pat was born in Minneapolis, MN on December 31, 1917 at 11:50 p.m. and was to celebrate her 93rd birthday this New Year's Eve. Pat was the oldest daughter of Oscar and Mabel Edith Willar Patterson , and was preceded in death by her older sister Ruth and younger brother John. Her younger sister Harriet Patterson Rotsch still resides in Minneapolis with her husband of 67 years, James (Bud) Rotsch along with Pat's five nieces and nephews. Pat graduated from Central High School in Minneapolis in 1935, met her husband Charles P. (Chuck) Heeter in 1940 and the two were married on June 28, 1941. Both Pat and Chuck were children of the Great Depression and World War II, and both experiences substantially shaped their lives. Chuck was drafted in 1941 and shipped overseas as a member of the 95th Infantry Division, who landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy shortly after the Allied invasion. While food and money were scarce, Pat remained in Minneapolis working multiple jobs and living with her parents while Chuck served our country in Europe. Pat's and Chuck's characters were influenced by these events and values such as hard work, integrity, honesty, reliability, and devotion to family and country were instilled in them by their parents and through their own personal experiences.
Pat and Chuck moved to Appleton in 1949 when Chuck accepted a position with Appleton Mills, and were proud to call the Fox Cities their home for the rest of their lives. After raising their three children, Pat re-entered the work force becoming a sales associate and eventually department manager at Gimbel's Department store, the predecessor to Macy's. In addition, both Pat and Chuck were active in a variety of community organizations including the Downtown Rotary Club; Fox Cities Arts Alliance; United Way of the Fox Cities; Appleton YMCA; Salvation Army; Fox Valley Republican Party; Community Blood Center; Riverview Country Club; and Community Foundation. Pat was also an active member of the Service Circle of the King's Daughters and Appleton Women's Club.
Pat retired from Gimbels in 1982 and Chuck joined her in retirement in 1984 after 35 years at Appleton Mills. Pat was an inveterate Packers and Brewers fan, having been a Green Bay season ticket holder since the 1950s and following the Milwaukee Braves and Brewers as well. Even until her last days you could find Pat in her apartment with a Brewers or Packer game on in the background and her dispensing sage advice to the various coaches and players.
Pat was one of the kindest, gentlest, most considerate souls you could ever meet, always a smile on her face and placing other people's concerns or well-being ahead of hers. To her last days she maintained a spirit of independence. Her family will miss her dearly but takes great comfort in the love she shared, examples she set, and values she instilled in us. We were very fortunate to have her as our mother.
Pat is survived by her three children: Joanne Caroline Heeter of Albuquerque New Mexico; Charles P. (Maricel) Heeter Jr. of McLean VA; and William B. (Kristi Correa) Heeter of Appleton; three grandaughters: Celina (Joe) Schneider of Arlington, VA; Caroline Heeter of McLean VA; Catherine (Matt) Bishop of Falls Church VA; and two grandsons: Charles Christian-Robles Heeter of Arlington VA and Colin Matthew-Patterson Heeter of McLean VA; and five great grandchildren (Noah, Ian and Adele Schneider; and Henry and Felix Bishop). Pat was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Charles Prentiss Heeter, who passed away in 1997.

Faith played an important role in Pat's life, and she was an active member of both Trinity Lutheran Church and later Faith Lutheran Church of Appleton. She practiced her religion quietly, diligently, with conviction, and belief, and we take great solace that in her passing she is at peace.
A Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 30, 2010 at FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 601 E. Glendale Avenue in Appleton, with Rev. Leon Knitt officiating. Following the ceremony there will be a short reception and greeting at Faith Lutheran Church where the family will be celebrating Pat's life and legacy. In addition, for her friends and staff at The Heritage and Peabody Manor who may not be able to attend this service, there will also be a reception on Friday, December 31, 2010 at The Heritage in the Private Dining Room from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There we will be celebrating Pat's 93rd birthday and greeting her friends and staff. A Memorial Fund is being established in Pat's name with the Appleton Rotary Club; please mark any donations to the attention of the Charles P. and Adele C. Heeter Outstanding Community Leadership Award Fund.
The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Dr. John Elisberg (Madison); Drs. James Mariano and Josh White and the staff at the Appleton Cardiology Associates; and Dr. Orlando Taleon and the staff at ThedaCare Physicians Internal Medicine. In addition we would like to thank the many caregivers at Heritage Woods Assisted Living Center and Peabody Manor; you cared for our mother as though she were your very own, and for that our family will always be grateful.

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
(920) 739-1231