Patty was born July 14, 1942 in Decatur, Illinois to Paul Taylor and Mila Virginia Smith Gebhart. After the War, her soldier dad moved the family to the Peoria area so he could work at Caterpillar. Patty was a member of the Pekin Community High School Class of 1960 where she had been active in vocal groups, and she taught Sunday School at First Christian Church. She worked part-time at the McLellan Dime Store where she met her future husband, Don Oftedahl. They were married on June 18, 1961, and were in the retail business for a number of years until Don was called to preach.
They moved to Chattanooga, TN for Bible School, graduating in 1973, before going into an independent Baptist church-planting ministry. Patty played the piano and sang solos in the church services as well as teaching Sunday School, and in the Christian day school. She was a gracious Christian lady who always had a kind, compassionate word for folks who were hurting, and she led many to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. She will have many rewards in Heaven due to the emphasis of her life.
God blessed them with three children, and next to Jesus, her heart belonged to her family, giving whatever was needed in the area of support. Patty and Don enjoyed a happy life together for 59 ½ years. She was a homemaker, with hobbies of sewing, knitting, crocheting, and doing cross stitch.
Patty went peacefully Home to her Lord on Saturday, December 12, 2020, with Tammy and Michelle by her side. She is survived by her husband, Don;, daughter Tammy and William Materne, son Derek and Lona Oftedahl, daughter Michelle and Larry Jordan, grandchildren Kaity Materne, Sara and Brent Miller, Ethan and Aubrey Materne, Ben and Jenna Materne, Natalie and Mitko Ovcharov, Tyler Jordan, and great-grandchildren Ryker and Russell Materne, Marcie and Finn Miller, Elena Ovcharov. Special mention must be made of the many who were led to the Lord by her, relatives and friends who were all so special to her.
For many years, Patty suffered physical problems, and her favorite Bible verse as she went into her surgeries was Isaiah 26:3--"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." She was a trusting child of God, and now she has graduated to her reward. We celebrate her life!
Due to Patty's death from Covid, only graveside services will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Fort Worth, TX. on Thursday, December 17 at 3:00 p.m. Thank you to Pastor C.M. Mosley of First Baptist Church, Haltom City, TX, Glenview Wellness and Rehabilitation, and Forest Ridge Funeral Home, North Richland Hills, TX. for their care of her.