Patricia Elaine Axman

Visited Patty’s Memorial at Swan Lake

Love and miss you Cow Patty!

Here’s to Sister Patty who’s with us tonight!

I first met Patty when I visited BV as a high school senior. It was a Wednesday night and I stayed with Sue Levy on Victoria House. That was a crazy night and I knew BV was my new home. There are more stories and moments than I can tell. Patty was such an important part of my life - during college and after. She was kind, thoughtful, and hilarious. She was one of the best pranksters among our Victoria House sisters. One early Saturday morning, she walked into my dorm room saying, “I clean up ok” while emptying my dresser drawers on the floor. Patty was incredibly strong and never complained when her health started to fail her. She never missed a college reunion or gathering — and always had a smile on her face when we were together. I miss you, Cow Patty. I miss your smile, your giggle, and your positive outlook on everything. You are never far from my thoughts.

Morgan Axman 15w

Toast To Patty

It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years. In some ways it feels like a lifetime, and in others it feels like you should still be here with us—laughing, telling stories, reminding us that Sunday means fried chicken after church, watching a good thunderstorm on the front porch, spending the majority of the day in the sun, or asking if anyone wants a piece of apple crisp. This week is one of the biggest weeks of Melea’s life. There is no doubt you should be standing beside her, fixing her dress, wiping away happy tears, and reminding her how beautiful she is. We all wish you could be here for that. But I also believe love doesn’t disappear. It changes form. It lives on in the stories we tell, the traditions we keep, the laughter we share, and the people you helped shape. Your fingerprints are all over this family, and they’ll be all over this wedding, too. So tonight, as the sun sets, we celebrate the incredible woman you were. We remember you with gratitude instead of silence, with stories instead of sadness, and with love that hasn’t faded in ten years. And Patty… if you’re listening… please keep reminding us that you are always here and that you’re still finding ways to make us smile. To Patty—an amazing wife, mother, friend, and the heart of so many beautiful memories. We miss you every day, we’ll carry you with us this week, and we promise that your love will always have a place at our table. To Patty. 🩷

Save Us A Seat

Patty and I became friends in 1980 when I started at BV-she was a year older so helpd me those first days of college to learn the ropes and figure life out. We lived on Victoria House-3rd floor south, in Swope Hall. There were 10 rooms with 2 girls each and our floormates were quite inseparable. In those days, everyone lived in the dorms and most people moved on our floor and didn't leave until they graduated Patty loved life, she was the first one up on Saturday or Sunday morning and had her room cleaned and laundry done before most of us woke up. We shared so much in college... intramurals, Homecoming Week festivities and building our Victoria House floats, SAGA meals, nightly popcorn, garden raids, Dance Team, floor parties-many with themes, The Cobblestone, Beer Ball games, The Rodeo, penny or nickel draws, Hog Jam, nights out, watching Terry play footbal, ldressing up/doing hair/sharing clothes, blaring music and belting out tunes, floor competitions and brother floors, supporting our friends in sports and college activities, pregaming before football games or going out for the evening. Everyone had nicknames and hers was Cow Patty and Terry was Ax. Patty drove a Maverick in college. We would load that car up to go to church, shopping, Road Trips, or nights out. Terry and Patty were the first of our friends married and we Road Tripped to Ruthven where Terry taught and coached to see them. I think I visited everywhere they lived (Ruthven, Storm Lake, Lakeside, Carroll). Each of our weddings was a Victoria House celebration. After college we kept in touch with annual Christmas cards and photos, Victoria House Reunions, visits, text, phone calls, and later texts. Despite every health hurdle Patty had later in her life, she handled them with such grace and determination. That friendship lasted 36 years, until she beat us all to Heaven and is saving us a seat. I was blessed to spend the last day of her life with a visit to the hospice house. She lives forever in our memories and we fondly share stories of our days together at BV.

We are all still missing you

Patty, we miss your energy and the way you could make even the simplest moments feel special. You shared Grandma’s patience, always willing to sit and color with us as kids, dye Easter eggs together, or simply be present—like floating beside us on vacation without a care in the world. We also miss the orneriness you shared with Grandpa—that playful, witty, and clever spirit that always kept us laughing. Patty, you would be so proud of your family and the lives they have built. Ten years may have passed, but your love, laughter, and spirit still feel close. You are deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Morgan Axman 15w

Your Grandchildren

Ten years without you. There are so many moments I wish you could have been here for, but one of the hardest is knowing you never got to meet these three beautiful grandchildren. Patty, you would have loved them. You would have adored Willy. He’s sweet, sensitive, and becoming such a gentleman. He has the biggest heart, is incredibly smart, and has a laugh that erupts through a room and makes everyone around him smile. And just like everyone says, he looks so much like his daddy. You would have gotten a kick out of Ellason. She’s feisty, fierce, and strong-willed, but she gives the very best hugs and carries a joy that is impossible to miss. She loves life with her whole heart and isn’t afraid to let the world know it. And little Kendall… she’s just starting to show us who she is, but she’s already keeping us on our toes. She crinkles her nose when she smiles, is always looking for a little mischief, and the second music starts playing, she’s shaking her booty with the biggest grin on her face. It breaks my heart that they never got to know you, but I like to think they know you in other ways. Through the stories we tell, the traditions we keep, and the love that continues to hold this family together. And if you were here today, I know you’d be so proud of the family that continues to grow because of the love you planted long ago. 🩷