Patricia Ann Hess

Patricia Ann (Winchell) Hess, 81, of Johnstown, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at the Hospice Inpatient Unit at North Colorado Medical Center, surrounded by her family. Pat was born to Theo and Miriam (Haycraft)Winchell on January 12, 1936 in Lyman, Nebraska. She graduated from Lyman High School in 1954 and during her schooling met Randall "Randy” Hess. Pat and Randall would see each other frequently at joint school and church functions, where they seemed to always end up talking to each other. Upon her passing, Pat and Randall had been married 63 years. After their marriage, Pat and Randall were blessed with the birth of their first child Christy. Randall's pursuit of a degree in education led the family to travel to Denver and Greeley, with Pat supporting him all the way. They would soon find themselves in Johnstown, where Randall began his teaching and coaching careers and Pat her career as a mother. The family would grow again with the birth of their son Kerry and the family would soon find themselves living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as Randall pursued his Masters Degree. Johnstown called their names again and the family returned to the place they continue to call home. As Pat's children got older, she continued to be a loving, caring mother and began her career of volunteering and serving others. She would be diagnosed with myasthenia gravis but did not let this hold her back as she led a full life, taking advantage and using every hour she could to impart her wisdom, passion and love for life. She was a member of the United Methodist Women, Hope Fellowship Circle, Estrellita Women's Service Club, PEO and was even a Cub Scout Leader. She knitted hundreds of prayers shawls, provided to those needing comfort and prayer during their time of need. She helped organize and deliver Meals on Wheels for over 30 years in the Johnstown-Milliken area. For many years, she coordinated funeral dinners at the church. The list could go on and she received numerous awards for her volunteer services. Pat was known as Mrs. Coach to many, as she was Randall's right hand woman and assistant coach throughout much of his coaching career. It was not uncommon to see her with clipboard in hand, at a track or cross country meet, cheering on her "kids". You could always count on meets in Johnstown and Milliken to run smoothly, as Pat had them organized to the minute, having volunteers in place days ahead and each person knowing exactly what to do. Pat was by Randall's side, throughout his coaching career, until his retirement in 2001. Pat's faith in the Lord was very important to her, but nothing was more important to her than family. She supported Christy and Kerry in everything they did, and as they both started their own families, Pat began yet another career, that of helping raise and support her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She went to thousands of sporting events to support her family, whether it was Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming or Montana, you could count on mom, grandma, great-grandma being there. She guaranteed holidays would be remembered, switching out the decorations in the house to help the family celebrate the upcoming holiday. As the seasons changed, you could count on Pat to be in her yard, tending to the flowers and getting everything ready for the season coming up. She will be greatly missed by not only the Johnstown-Milliken communities, but most of all by her husband Randall, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her husband of 63 years Randall Hess; brother Larry (Bev) Winchell of Sacramento, CA; daughter Christy (Jeff) Nelson of Columbia Falls, MT; son Kerry (Michelle) Hess of Johnstown; grandsons Brandon (Kacie) Nelson of Kalispell, MT, Nathanel (Katie) Hess of Johnstown, Jeremy (Sarah Huff) Hess of Silt, Jarrod (Katrina) Hess of Greeley, Damien (Ashley) Hess of Milliken, granddaughters Bridgette (Kim) Torgerson of Kalispell, MT, Brooklyn (Jon) Conklin of Whitefish, MT, Kaitlyn (Cory Salazar) Hess of Johnstown; great-grandchildren Dylan, Kaitlin and Makynzie Torgerson; Justin, Logan, Ryan and Landon Conklin; Treyvor and Reyleigh Hess, Dominic Hess, Mariah and Nevaeh Hess, Urijah Hess and Rylan Hess; in addition to numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Theo and Miriam; sisters Myrt Shiers (Gage), Edith Shaner (Don) and Ethel Hopkins (Preston); brothers Dale Winchell (Clara), Don Winchell (Florine) and Bob Winchell (Darlene) and great-grandson Drevon Hess. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 8, 2017 at the Johnstown United Methodist Church, 108 King Avenue. Private inurnment services for the family will be held at the Johnstown Cemetery. A reception will follow the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the "United Methodist Church” in care of Adamson Cares, 2000 47th Ave., Greeley, CO 80634. Friends may leave condolences at adamsoncares.com.