Patricia Ann Radella
Patricia
Ann Radella, at the age of 73, ascended to heaven after fighting
a 3 year and 10 month courageous battle against ovarian cancer.
She held unwavering strength and positive attitude, until the
very end.
Patricia Ann Radella was born to her parents Michelina and
Hubert J. Wicka during a snowstorm in her grandparents homestead
farm house near Beach, North Dakota. Michelina was a descendant
of Poland and Pat was proud of that heritage. There were no
indoor toilets, running water, electricity (until age 10) or
television. Pat worked the farm along with her siblings and
parents. When asked to describe her childhood, Pat reported, “I
always thought it was a good life.” Perhaps it was this strength
of character that helped Pat navigate the challenges she faced
in life.
After high school, career choices for women were to become a
teacher, nurse or waitress. Pat didn’t have enough money for her
first choice, to be a teacher so she opted for nursing. In 1958,
Pat graduated from nursing school in Miles City, MT with an RN
degree. She was working at the Veteran’s Hospital when she met
the love of her life, Frank Radella. Pat felt that God picked
her husband for her. They were married on October 24, 1959 in
Beach, and had a reception in Frank’s hometown of Midland,
Pennsylvania. They returned to Miles City to live, and
subsequently had 4 children, in 3 different states, due to
Frank’s career. They settled in Billings in 1964. Pat’s last job
was Director of Nursing at Aspen Meadows Nursing Home where she
retired in 1996.
Pat loved being outdoors, having pets and even inherited the
name “deer whisperer” because of her uncanny ability to
communicate with deer and other creatures up at their cabin near
Roscoe, Montana. Her love of vegetable gardening, combined with
her enthusiasm for cooking taught healthy eating habits to her
family. Planting a seed and watching it grow was a union of the
earth, water and air which she marveled at to the very end. Her
canning skills produced legendary jellies from hand picked wild
berries to spaghetti sauces that we all cherished. She was an
avid reader, Sudoku player, and was very clever at playing
games.
Pat was blessed with a loving, caring and generous spirit that
touched and inspired the lives of all she encountered. One of
her last acts of generosity was participating in a clinical
trial that contributed to medical research on ovarian cancer.
Pat gave to those less fortunate and volunteered with: Head
Start, Hospice, Junior League, Geo Wives, the Philanthropic
Educational Organization, and Saint Anthony Circle at St. Pius X
Catholic Church. Pat was greatly admired and loved. Her devotion
to family and friends will be deeply missed.
Patricia is preceded in heaven by her parents, Minnie and Hubert
Wicka, her brother Garry Wicka and her sister Beverly Wojahn.
Patricia is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 50
years Frank Radella. Frank was at his bride’s side and took
charge of her care every step of the way. Her beautiful spirit
lives on in her 4 children and their spouses: Denise
Christensen, Karen Radella (Dr. Ernest Thomas), Michele Oakland
(Jon Oakland), Frank Radella II (Meredith Radella), her sister
Marguerite Parker, and her four grandchildren, Jacob
Christensen, Taj and Nia Trimbo and Halle Thomas.
The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to all of Pat’s
wonderful friends, especially Edie Stevenson, and neighbors for
their love, support, well-wishes, cards, flowers and meals.
Thank you to Dr. Dave Meyer and Dr. Patrick Cobb, who were with
Pat and her husband Frank for this entire journey. Thanks also
to: Pat’s other doctors and nursing staff at St. Vincent
Hospital, the caring and competent staff at the Hematology
Oncology Center of the Northern Rockies, RiverStone Health
Hospice medical personnel, for their care and compassion of Pat,
especially her nurse Rose Bosaker. Your expressions of
generosity and kindness gave us strength and lifted our spirits
during this very difficult time.
Cremation has taken place. Vigil
services will be held 7pm Friday at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00
A.M., Saturday, July 10, 2010, at St. Pius X Church. A reception
will immediately follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Pat’s name to: RiverStone Health Hospice 123 South 27th St, Billings Montana 59101 or The Billings Food Bank 2503 2nd Ave, Billings Montana, 59101.
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
Dear
Frank and Family of Pat,
Words come hard when I am trying to express my feelings about the loss
of Pat. She fought the very difficult battle.
I express to you heartfelt sympathy for your loss . I also feel the loss
of a very wonderful friend.
I will miss her, even though we did not see each other often, I always
knew she was there. My gardening is my flowers, and in the spring I will
plant another Rose for her. She will always be near to me in my heart.
Again I express my sympathies. I am unable to come for her memorial mass
but will light a candle here for her on Saturday.
Thank you Frank for keeping in touch through all this. I appreciated
hearing from you about Pat. It meant more to me than I can tell you.
Sincerely and with prayers for all of you, Kaye McIntyre
Frank and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your wife’s death due to cancer. Our
prayers are with you through this time.
Don and Eileen Traeholt ( Hilltop Welding)
Dear Radella Family, I was saddened for you all when I opened the paper to see Pat's obituary. It's a difficult time to go through with mixed feelings of not wanting to lose her, but thankful she is no longer suffering. May God encircle you in His loving arms & give you strength & peace in the days ahead as you learn to live without her. In sympathy, Paulette Iverson & family (Darla, Randy, Gina, & Curtis)