Patricia Ann Wantland

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, on November 19, 1928, Patty Ann White spent her growing up years in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Living through the depression, she thought her friend's mustard sandwiches were the best and feeding hungry strangers at her kitchen door was life as usual. She knew no lack with a mother who could reproduce dresses seen in store windows, a garden that filled the lot next door, fresh baked bread, and in-the-night canning sessions. "Fresh" chicken meant chickens caught, necks wrung, feathers plucked and pieces fried. No fast food back then. The breakout of the war affected everyone's lives. Patty's mom was "Rosie the Riveter" working nights at Tinker Field. Her brother Billy went from making himself sick eating watermelon hearts in a neighbor's field to talking his parents into allowing him to join the Navy at age 16. Patty was loved by two amazing men – Jim Wantland and Paul Hinrichs, her college sweetheart and her high school sweetheart, both Engineers. After college, Patty moved to the city, lived at the "Y" and worked at OG& E where she skimped on food to buy shoes. Jim came to call in a blue '47 Hudson convertible and won her heart. They married August 28, 1950, and spent their lives raising children, taking care of parents, working hard and living well. In 2007, Jim died suddenly just days after they had celebrated their 57th anniversary, and Patty's life changed overnight. Friends and family drew close comforting and mourning with her. But Patty's story doesn't end there. In 2009 her high school sweetheart, Paul Hinrichs, came to call, and their love was rekindled. Engaged over 60 years prior, they married April 21, 2010. Life with Paul can be characterized with travel, dancing to 1940's favorites at Ingrid's Bakery, cooking together, and times with family and friends. The last year has been one of true love, Paul caring for Patty. The Lord took Patty "home" on January 10, 2017.