Patricia "Pat" Josephine (Murray) Aker, 86, of Abilene, died Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011.
She was born Sept. 29, 1924, in Abilene. She was the daughter of William Joseph and Estella (Van Sickle) Murray.
She attended elementary and secondary schools in Abilene and graduated from Abilene High School in 1942. Pat graduated from Marymount College in Salina in 1946 with majors in chemistry and psychology. In line with her degree, she spent one summer in Hartford, Conn., at the Institute of Living. She also worked during college break and in the summers at Ershams in Enterprise during World War II, earning money for college. After graduating from Marymount College, Pat attended Loyola University of Chicago, Ill., taking graduate courses in counseling.
In 1947, she started her teaching career at Tampa High School. In 1949, Pat went to Solomon High School, where she taught English until 1969.
On Aug. 29, 1950, she married Robert "Bob" P. Aker, who farmed south of Sand Springs. Their son, Daniel Robert Aker, was born in 1952.
They lived in a little red brick schoolhouse until 1966, when they moved to the farm presently owned.
In 1964, Pat started working on her master's degree in library science at Emporia State University. She drove to Emporia during the next three summers to earn her master's degree. Having completed her master's degree in 1968, Pat went to Marymount College as the library director in the fall of 1969.
On March 1, 1973, she accepted the position of library director of the Abilene Public Library where she remained as director for 27 years. Pat retired on Jan. 3, 2000.
In November 2001, Pat moved to Brown Memorial Home and had recently moved to Family Care Home in Abilene. Pat was a teacher, librarian, and farm wife.
Pat was an active member of many local and state organizations including the Abilene Kiwanas, Abilene Lions Club, Elks Club, chairman of the Elsie Brooks Cancer Society for many years, Ladies Literary League, Beta Sigma Phi and the State Library. She was an active member of St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabelle, and sang in the church choir. Pat was noted for her soprano voice and sang at many funerals and weddings. She played the piano, organ and violin.
Pat is survived by her son, Dan and daughter-in-law Jean Ann; three grandchildren, Ben, Marie and Joe Aker of Abilene; a sister, Rosemary O'Donnell of Abilene; sisters-in-law, Barbara Askew of Herington and Mayme Noll of Hiawatha; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bob on March 22, 1985; and brother, Bill.
The funeral Mass will be at 10:30 am Monday at St. Andrew's Church with burial to follow in Mt. St. Joseph Cemetery, Abilene.
Rosary will be at 5 p.m. Sunday, at St. Andrew's Catholic Church. The family will receive friends following the rosary in the St. Andrew's parish hall.
Copyright 2011 Abilene Reflector-Chronicle. All rights reserved.
Patricia "Pat" Josephine (Murray) Aker, 86, of Abilene, died Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011.
She was born Sept. 29, 1924, in Abilene. She was the daughter of William Joseph and Estella (Van Sickle) Murray.
She attended elementary and secondary schools in Abilene and graduated from Abilene High School in 1942. Pat graduated from Marymount College in Salina in 1946 with majors in chemistry and psychology. In line with her degree, she spent one summer in Hartford, Conn., at the Institute of Living. She also worked during college break and in the summers at Ershams in Enterprise during World War II, earning money for college. After graduating from Marymount College, Pat attended Loyola University of Chicago, Ill., taking graduate courses in counseling.
In 1947, she started her teaching career at Tampa High School. In 1949, Pat went to Solomon High School, where she taught English until 1969.
On Aug. 29, 1950, she married Robert "Bob" P. Aker, who farmed south of Sand Springs. Their son, Daniel Robert Aker, was born in 1952.
They lived in a little red brick schoolhouse until 1966, when they moved to the farm presently owned.
In 1964, Pat started working on her master's degree in library science at Emporia State University. She drove to Emporia during the next three summers to earn her master's degree. Having completed her master's degree in 1968, Pat went to Marymount College as the library director in the fall of 1969.
On March 1, 1973, she accepted the position of library director of the Abilene Public Library where she remained as director for 27 years. Pat retired on Jan. 3, 2000.
In November 2001, Pat moved to Brown Memorial Home and had recently moved to Family Care Home in Abilene. Pat was a teacher, librarian, and farm wife.
Pat was an active member of many local and state organizations including the Abilene Kiwanas, Abilene Lions Club, Elks Club, chairman of the Elsie Brooks Cancer Society for many years, Ladies Literary League, Beta Sigma Phi and the State Library. She was an active member of St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabelle, and sang in the church choir. Pat was noted for her soprano voice and sang at many funerals and weddings. She played the piano, organ and violin.
Pat is survived by her son, Dan and daughter-in-law Jean Ann; three grandchildren, Ben, Marie and Joe Aker of Abilene; a sister, Rosemary O'Donnell of Abilene; sisters-in-law, Barbara Askew of Herington and Mayme Noll of Hiawatha; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bob on March 22, 1985; and brother, Bill.
The funeral Mass will be at 10:30 am Monday at St. Andrew's Church with burial to follow in Mt. St. Joseph Cemetery, Abilene.
Rosary will be at 5 p.m. Sunday, at St. Andrew's Catholic Church. The family will receive friends following the rosary in the St. Andrew's parish hall.
Copyright 2011 Abilene Reflector-Chronicle. All rights reserved.
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