Patricia (“Pat”) Ann Urbanovsky, 72, of Ord passed away with her family by her side on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Though we are left with great sadness in our hearts, we find comfort that she and her husband, Dennis, are reunited.
Patricia was born on July 7, 1952, to Oscar and Helen (Kratochivil) Kolman. Patricia grew up in Beatrice, Nebraska and was known to be an active child. She could climb trees and hang by her knees off branches. She loved being outdoors and swimming. She and her sister Linda would go hiking to search for Native American arrowheads with their dad. She had fond memories of traveling to the Black Hills, Rocky Mountains, and Grand Tetons. She loved dogs and cherished the many she had over the years.
Patricia attended Stoddard Elementary School in Beatrice and was known early on for being a good student who had an interest in other people and places. She was noted to read exceptionally well at an early age. Though shy, during her elementary and junior high years she was a member of the Girl Scouts, 4H Club, and a number of church groups.
After junior high, she moved onto Beatrice High School. Patricia continued her studious habits and joined the pep club and the band as a clarinetist. One of her fondest memories during this period was hearing Presidential candidate Bobby Kennedy speak in Beatrice.
After graduating high school in 1970, Patricia was accepted at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she later received a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics. While in college, Patricia attended Husker games during their 1971 national championship run. She also got to see John Denver during his Rocky Mountain High tour.
Patricia graduated in 1974 and moved onto a long career in teaching and education. After initially teaching in Arnold, she moved to Burwell where she began teaching Home Economics at the High School in the Fall of 1976. She was well liked by her students and became ingrained in the community. During the summers, she enjoyed judging at County Fairs. She enjoyed antiquing and finding treasures.
In 1979, Patricia caught the eye of Dennis Urbanovsky, a romance ensued, and they were soon married on June 7, 1980. Patricia adored Dennis and was always very supportive of him. Despite coming from a family with no ranching experience, she was adaptable and a quick learner. While living on the ranch, she helped Dennis out with chores and took care of the home. She had a garden every year where she would raise a variety of vegetables. She regularly made elaborate home cooked meals.
On December 1, 1983, Patricia became a proud mother to Jeffrey. Her second child Kelly would arrive on July 1, 1986, and a third, Clint would arrive on August 29, 1989. She was a devoted mother in every sense of the word. She always put her children’s needs well above her own. She tirelessly read books to Jeffrey as a child which fostered his own studious habits. She was supportive of Kelly in being a mother and was always willing to help. When Clint would come home late from sports practices, she would make sure he had a warm home cooked meal ready. She made the holidays special for the family. She prepared special holiday meals on beautiful China and would decorate in a simple and tasteful manner.
As she dedicated herself to caring for family, Patricia transitioned into a substitute teaching role and would travel to various schools in the area such as those in Garfield, Valley, Loup and Wheeler counties. She volunteered many hours at the Garfield County Library and was a member of Friends of the Library which was instrumental during this period in getting the new library built. She continued substitute teaching up until the pandemic in 2020.
Later in life when Dennis became ill, she devoted all her energy into caring for him. Dennis meant the world to her and with his recent passing, she was crushed. Nevertheless, she showed resilience during this final period and looked forward to the responsibilities of managing the ranch along with the addition of new grandchildren.
She loved her grandchildren much the same as her own children and saw great potential in them. She supported them academically and encouraged them to be their best. She always had words of encouragement and would ask thoughtful questions about their day. She loved to quiz them on school subjects. She was very proud of them and their accomplishments.
Patricia loved to stay informed about current events, even the local and state issues that would often be overlooked. She continued to be inquisitive about other people and places as she had been when she was a child. She had a genuine interest in the well-being of others and really cared for people. She was considerate and thoughtful. She never missed a birthday or milestone. She was humble and practiced humility.
Patricia always enjoyed playing card games with friends and for a period joined a bowling league with Dennis. In her later years, she became active on social media and regularly checked in with family members and friends. She enjoyed playing games like Scrabble, Sequence, and Words With Friends. Family and community were the things she most cherished.
Survivors include three children Jeffrey (Carla) Urbanovsky of San Diego, California; Kelly (Ryan) Bloom of Ord; and Clint (Jenna) Urbanovsky of Ord; four grandchildren, Alexis, Maci and Allison Bloom and Nicklin Urbanovsky; brothers and sisters-in-law, Larry and Debra Kolman of Beatrice, Gary and Linda Kolman of Beatrice; and a sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Steve Schmit of Lincoln.
She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 45 years, Dennis Urbanovsky; parents Oscar and Helen Kolman; brother, Steven Kolman; a sister-in-law, Emily Michalski; niece, Jenny Janda; and parents-in-law, Adolf and Virginia Urbanovsky.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Ord. Father Scott Harter will be the Mass Celebrant. Interment will be in the Ord City Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Ord Memorial Chapel. Ord Memorial Chapel is assisting with the arrangements.
Memorials are suggested to the family for the creation of a scholarship fund supporting high school graduates where she taught to pursue careers in public education.
Online condolences may be left at www.ordmemorialchapel.com
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