Patricia and Tony Yeager

Patricia Mary Yeager, 90 years old, of Kalispell, passed into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Sept. 20, 2021. Born to the late Raymond and Veronica Brayback in Marshfield, Wisconsin, Patricia attended St. Peter and Paul Catholic Grade School and graduated from Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. Upon graduation Patsy worked at a bank until she met the love of her life, Anton “Tony” Yeager and they married on Sept. 5, 1953. Pat and Tony had 68 beautiful years together and were blessed with six children.

Patricia is survived by her children, John (Holly) Yeager of Toledo, Ohio; Ann (Don) Brigham of Belgrade; Mike (Deanne) Yeager of Blue Jay, California; Jim (Mary) Yeager of Madison, Wisconsin; Doug Yeager, West Glacier, and Robert (Kathleen) Yeager of Columbia Falls, along with 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Patricia was a loving and dedicated wife and mother. She was a great help and encouragement to her husband, Tony, and she had a profound influence upon their children as a shaper of the next generation. Patricia was active in St. Mark’s Catholic Church Women’s Council, served as a Cub Scout den mother for several years, and volunteered in the Rothschild, Wisconsin, community with Tony.

Upon Tony’s retirement they chose to move north to Rhinelander, Wisconsin, where she was an active member in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, and volunteered at two nursing homes as well as the North Central Chapter of Alzheimer’s.

Shortly after celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, they pulled up stakes once again and moved to Kalispell to be closer to family. Pat and Tony volunteered with the Sunshine Choir and performed in several nursing homes.

Pat, an accomplished seamstress and homemaker, made wonderful creations in her kitchen, enjoyed golfing, cross-country skiing, writing letters and sending care packages to her children spread around the globe, playing cards, and had many wonderful adventures traveling around the country visiting their children and grandchildren. She had a great sense of humor, deeply loved her husband and children and was an incredibly fun Gramma!

Her deep love and reverence for the Lord Jesus was revealed in her faith and beautiful prayer life and she and Tony sought to pass this legacy on to their children. She was a true picture of the hands and feet of Jesus through her encouragement, wisdom, generosity, and inspiration to her family and to the many who crossed her path. Her thoughtful, kind, fun and tenderhearted spirit will definitely be missed by those she leaves behind.

Services for Patricia and Tony were held at St. Richard Catholic Church in Columbia Falls on Sept. 24.

Condolences may be made at wecare@jgfuneralhome.com

Anton “Tony” Joseph Yeager, of Kalispell, passed into the presence of his Lord and Savior on Sept. 23, 2021 (42 hours after his wife passed away). Losing one parent is difficult, but to lose both dear parents within a few days is like having the floor drop out from beneath you. We truly rejoice that they are together with the Lord where there is no more suffering or Alzheimer’s. And we are so thankful for our families, friends and the strength of the Lord.

Tony was born to the late Anton and Stella Yeager in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, on Aug. 4, 1927. He attended St. Peter and Paul Catholic Grade School and graduated from Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.

Upon graduation he enlisted in the Navy and served his country during World War II on board the Dorothy Dix AP67 Troop Transport; General Harry Taylor AP145 Troop Transport and the USS Bennington CV20 Air Craft Carrier. Upon completion of his Naval duties, he pursued a degree at University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated in 1951. Shortly thereafter, he met Patricia Brayback and they married on Sept. 5, 1953.Tony and Pat had 68 beautiful years together and were blessed with six children and raised them in Rothschild, Wisconsin. Always active in community service, Tony was active in St. Mark’s Catholic Church and school, and was chairman of the Weston Park Commission in founding the J.F. Kennedy Park and Pool. He served as Scoutmaster of Troop 428 for seven years and was a member of the Stephen Care Ministry in Wausau. Tony was a regional sales manager with Sentry Insurance and retired in January 1987 after 23 years of service and he and Pat moved to Rhinelander, Wisconsin, where he was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and served on the Finance Committee. Tony volunteered at St. Joseph’s Thrift Center, the North Central Chapter of Alzheimer’s, a local nursing home, and was a communion distributor at St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital. He also was a member of the River Walk Committee and Rhinelander Downtown Development Association.

In 2003, they moved to Kalispell to be closer to family, and Tony got involved with the Veterans of Foreign Wars 2252, American Legion 137, and served in the Honor Guard at community events and at funerals of fellow veterans. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus at Risen Christ Catholic Church; sang with the Sunshine Singers and Good Times Chorus; was the chairman of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and volunteered at the Veteran’s Center. He loved helping others. Tony was a loving and dedicated husband and father. He was an extraordinary help and encouragement to his wife, Pat, demonstrated daily by his faithful and diligent work in providing for the family and by his active participation in helping to raise their six children. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed golf, fishing, hunting, cross-country skiing, reading, playing cards, and traveling around the country to visit their children and grandchildren whom they loved spending time with. He was quite the jokester and storyteller and had the patience of a saint. Tony had a deep love and respect for the Lord Jesus and his faith was actively modeled to his family and to all who crossed his path. His wisdom, encouragement, counsel and availability were deeply appreciated and sought after by his family and friends. His unconditional love, thoughtfulness, generosity, cheerfulness, kindness, fun, tender hearted spirit will be deeply missed by his family.

Services for Patricia and Tony were held at St. Richard Catholic Church in Columbia Falls on Sept. 24.

Condolences may be made at wecare@jgfuneralhome.com