Patricia Katherine Hackert

Patricia Katherine Ann Hackert, of Palisade, Nebraska, born July 26, 1930 to Frank and Lillian (Filipy) Jackson in Staples, Minnesota, went peacefully to the Lord on Sunday November 19, 2023, to join her deceased loved ones (Donald her husband, and her children, Girard and Rose Marie) surrounded by her surviving six children and their spouses. She looked forward to being with her deceased loved ones, including her parents and her brother and sisters, and to be with Jesus.

Patricia, the oldest of eight children, spent her formative years growing in her Catholic faith with attendance at Sacred Heart Catholic School and the love and example of her mother and father. She worked many jobs during high school with her goal of attending college.

She met the love of her life and future husband, Donald Ignatius, at a St. John’s University dance her freshman year at St. Benedict College, in St. Joseph, Minnesota. It did not take long for their Catholic faith to bring them together forever. They were married on April 10, 1950 and were married for 36 years until his death in 1986.

While living in Elk River, Minnesota, the opportunity arose for her husband Donald to move to Palisade, Nebraska, to become the office manager for the young Southwest Public Power District, where he worked until his death. They came to the Nebraska Plains to build a life together. On her first visit she said she had found a new home where she lived for 72 years developing a wide range of friendships across the state of Nebraska and beyond. Patricia did not let grass grow under her feet.

Patricia’s community involvement helped many generations grow in their Catholic faith in teaching religious education for 21 years in the basement of her home. She guided young men in the Boy Scouts Webelos program with her son, Mark. She volunteered for VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) to help prepare tax returns for the low income and elderly. She was a long time Palisade Library board member, as well as volunteer librarian. She served as a National Weather Service reporter (recognized by both organizations for her service), volunteered with United Way campaign, local blood drive, election board, Education Service Unit and read to elementary students at Palisade Grade School. She participated in book club, held leadership roles in the Holy Family Altar Society, Deanery Chairmen for International Affairs and served Holy Family Catholic Church in numerous ways. She was Town Chairwoman for Girl Scouts and helped with eye tests of pre-kindergartens for amblyopia. Patricia was a charter member of the Friendly Neighbors Club in 1951, that continues to meet.

Patricia was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, children Rose Marie and Girard, parents Frank and Lillian Jackson, brother John Jackson, sisters, Ruthie Overby and Marilyn Bonaiuto, and Brother-in-Law John Deml.

Patricia is survived by children-- Kathleen (Marvin) Oster, Timothy (Darcy) Hackert, Rita Scott (Dave Cutting), Mary Margaret (Carlos) Estrada, Mark (Jane) Hackert and Teresa (Terry) Johns. And grandchildren, Jason (Teddy) Oster, Justin (Jenn) Oster, Janet Oster Jones, Laura Scott (Karl Hying), Greg Cutting, Kim (Kevin) Atkinson; Emily (Derek) Antonioni, John (Karly) Hackert, Lydia Hackert (Stewart Gray), Sarah (Juan) Hernandez; David (Lauren) Hackert, Stephen (Marci) Hackert, Marie (Andrew) Sloan, Anna Hackert, Kaitlyn (Shane) Johns, William (Traci) Johns, and Colleen (Jack) Wallace; her 18 Grandchildren and 25 Great-children (so far); her Siblings—Helen (Bob) Schroeder, Dorothy “Jackie” (Jim) Swanson, Eileen Deml, Sharon Jackson (Kathy Haydel); and her In-Laws Ray Hackert, Vern Klein, Rusty Kolodrubetz.

Visitation will be from 1:00 to 7:00 PM Central Time on Friday, November 24, 2023 at her home at 111 West Blake Street, Palisade Nebraska. Rosary is at 7:00 PM at her family home following the visitation. The Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 AM Central Time at St. James Catholic Church, 117 West B Street, Trenton Nebraska. Fr. Gary Brethour, Pastor of Holy Family Church officiating. The Funeral Mass will be live streamed at https://www.facebook.com/FuneralStreamUSA . Burial will follow Mass at Palisade Cemetery. Following interment there will be a meal of celebration of Patricia’s life at Mihm Hall, next to her home parish--Holy Family Catholic Church, 101 North Vennum Street, Palisade, Nebraska, for time to share memories with each other.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Palisade Foundation, Mihm Hall c/o Holy Family Catholic Church and the Palisade Nebraska Ambulance Fund.

The family would like to thank her doctor and nurses and all the other workers at McCook Community Hospital for their loving and professional care of Patricia and her family. Special thanks also to Father Brethour, Father Lorenz, and the McCook hospital chaplain for the prayers and laughter.

Condolences may be sent the family at www.liewerfuneralhome.com or on the sidewalk next to the Palisade Library (chalk in the Lending Library at the former Sailor’s Liquor Store).

Final thought: The Blessed Lord gave Patricia a full day of sharing the present, reliving old memories, praying, and allowing her to mother all six of her children from coast to coast who were with her to see her home to the Lord. She even finished the day watching the Huskers play football on TV. And saw the Husker Volleyball win the night before.
Patricia had told one of her nurses that she was ready to go home. The nurse asked if that was in Palisade. Patricia said NO and pointed towards Heaven.

Web links to donations:
Palisade Foundation https://www.nebcommfound.org/give/palisade-community-foundation-fund/
Mihm Hall c/o Holy Family Catholic Church
https://www.lincolndiocese.org/directory/parishes/763-holy-family-palisade
Palisade Nebraska Ambulance Fund. https://www.facebook.com/PVFDNE/about