Houghton
Patricia A. (Phoof) Wilkinson, 79, a resident of Houghton, passed away on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at the UP Health System- Portage Hospital shortly after being admitted.
Patricia was born on April 23, 1946, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Hancock to the late Robert and Louise (Klarich) Schutz. She was a resident of Houghton her entire life. She attended St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic School for eight years and graduated from Houghton High School in 1964. Immediately following her graduation, Patricia worked for Herman Gundlach, Inc. (Gundlach Champion). She loved her job and her co-workers and worked there for 30 years.
She married John Klass at St. Ignatius Loyola Church on July 23, 1966. They had two children together, Kimberly Ann Klass and Robert Louis Klass. Later on, Patricia married Kent "Phoof" Wilkinson on September 25, 1987, in Houghton.
Patricia enjoyed golfing, going to the casino, knitting, baking, cooking and spending time with her nieces Maddie & Abby Jelic. She delighted in caring for her cats Toby and Tootsie.
Patricia is survived by her husband, two sisters, Roberta (Wee-Zee) Yoerg of Calumet and Lisa (Bob) Jelic of Ann Arbor. She is also survived by nieces Tina (Chris) Kleiman, Maddie and Abby Jelic, great nieces Desiree Kleiman and Nevaeh Kleiman, and nephew Chad Allen, and numerous cousins.
Besides her parents, Patricia was preceded in death by her two children, Robbie Klass on February 17, 1996, and Kim Klass on April 23, 1997. She was also preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Frank Yoerg.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Patricia will be held 11:00 am Friday August 29, 2025, at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church of Houghton with burial in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Houghton with her daughter. Friends may call on Friday August 29, 2025, from 10 am until time of services at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests that Memorial Donations be directed to the Copper Country Humane Society, where Patricia had adopted six of her pets over the years.
To view Patricia's obituary or tos send condolences to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service - Hancock Chapel has been assisting the family with the arrangements.
St Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church
St Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church
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