Pat Mikeska's Obituary
Helen Patricia “Pat” Morris Mikeska passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on July 19, 2023. Pat was born to Hale Dickinson and Helen Evans Morris on April 8, 1930, in Memphis, TN. Her family moved from Memphis to New Orleans and then to Fort Worth where she graduated from Paschal High School. She majored in music (pipe organ and piano) at Texas Women’s University, later becoming an English major and graduating from Texas Christian University. Her fondest childhood memories were the summers she spent with her grandparents in West Virginia.
Pat married her high school sweetheart, Noble Ney Clark, and while he was in the service, they lived in Germany and Austria. Upon returning to the states for flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama, Noble died of a cerebral hemorrhage at age 32. Pat ran the welcome center for aviator’s wives for 2 years before moving to Dallas to attend executive secretary school. She began working at Collins Radio, and it was there that she met Frank Mikeska. They married and settled in Lake Highlands where they raised their children, Mike and Cheryl, and enjoyed many lifelong friendships. They were very active at Lake Highlands United Methodist Church, where they were members of the Koinonia class. She was a loyal, beautiful voice in the choir for over 50 years, as well as a member of the handbell choir. Pat loved music and could also play the piano, organ, guitar, ukulele and harmonica. She enjoyed reading and was a frequent patron of the Audelia Road Library. She and Frank loved to sail their boat on White Rock Lake, and both worked part time for the Dallas Convention Bureau. Pat learned to play bridge when she was a little girl, and it remained a favorite activity with friends for many years.
Frank preceded Pat in death in 2004, 2 days after their 40th wedding anniversary. She later moved to C.C. Young where she joined a very loving and active community. She represented The Overlook residents as president, sang with the Classy Lassies, attended Bible studies, game nights, wine time, book reviews and many other wonderful activities. She was blessed to meet her very special companion, Chet Osborn, and thanks to the wonderful friendships with residents and staff, she lived her final days to the fullest.
Pat is survived by her son Michael Morris Mikeska and wife Beth of Dallas, daughter Cheryl Beth Mikeska Rausch of Flower Mound, grandchildren Jack and Anna Mikeska and Abbey and Kylie Rausch, and brother Bill Morris. She was preceded in death by her sister Beth Morris Wakeland. Mike and Cheryl truly feel blessed that God chose Pat and Frank to be their parents through adoption.
A celebration of Pat’s life will be held on Friday, August 25 at 2:00 in the Christ Chapel, located on the 2nd floor in The Vista on the C.C. Young campus at 4849 W. Lawther, Dallas. If desired, memorials may be made to C.C. Young, 4847 W. Lawther Drive, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75214 or online at www.ccyoung.org/donate-now.
The family would like to thank the compassionate hospice nurses and caregivers on the 4th floor of The Vista and the entire C.C. Young staff for the love and support given to Pat for over 12 years.
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