Patricia S. Oak

Oak, Patricia “Patty” Jane Sturges, 82, loving wife, mother and grandmother, passed away on Tuesday, December 9, 2008. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Friday, December 19, at University Congregational Church, 9209 E. 29th St. N., Wichita. Patty was born in Kansas City, MO on February 8, 1926 to Mildred Hunter Sturges and Carl Brooks Sturges. She was raised in Wichita, attending East High School, and graduating from Stephens College in Columbia, MO and continuing her education at Wichita State University where she graduated in 1949. She was a member of Alpha Tau Sigma Sorority at WSU. Patty was married on August 27, 1950 to Tom M. Oak, her husband of 58 years. She dedicated her life to her family, raising her children and homemaking. Patty was part owner of “50 Kiva” womens clothing store in Wichita during the 1970s with her lifelong friend, Arlee Funk. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Carl B. Sturges, Jr. She is survived by her husband, Tom M. Oak, daughter, Catherine Erbert (Greg), son, Tom C. Oak (Diane Monger) all of Wichita, sister, Carlene S. Wells (Gene) of Hutchinson, sister-in-law, Mary Ann Oak Lamer of Norman, OK, grandchildren, Joseph Penney of Wichita and Emily Bellacera (Paul) of Overland Park, KS, step-grandchildren, Shawn Erbert (Candie), Eric Erbert (Sarah Stevens) and Darrin Erbert (Janiece), great-grandchildren, Cadence Erbert and Ayden Erbert and many nieces and nephews. A special thank you to Angie, Kristi, Sonya and Yolanda who helped care for Patty in the home the last year of her life, and the staff at Via Christi St. Francis MICU who cared for her the last month of her life. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with University Congregational Church and Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church, 3700 E. Mt. Vernon, Wichita, KS 67218. Downing Lahey Mortuary East.