Deanna Annette Patek, 86, of Festus died Nov. 28, 2025. Mrs. Patek loved spending time with and caring for her family. For more than 35 years, she was a volunteer at the Pony Bird Home in Mapaville. Her commitment to Pony Bird was recognized with a charitable volunteer award and she was featured in the Ladue News. A charter member of Our Lady Catholic Church, she worked as the school cafeteria manager for 19 years. She enjoyed bringing people together for family gatherings and community events, where her passion for cooking and baking was well known. She will be remembered for her kindness, compassion, devotion and generosity. Born July 14, 1939, in Festus, she was the daughter of the late Louise Mary (Boyer) and Adolph William Abernathy.
She was preceded in death by her husband: Edward Joseph Patek.
She is survived by two sons: Edward A. (Connie) Patek of Festus and Mark (Milena) Patek of Lee’s Summit; a daughter: Dana (Paul) Skinner of Festus; a sister: Carol (the late Richard) Bardon; eight grandchildren: Brandon (Ashley) Patek, Hillary (Ben) Mahnken, Kelsie (Nate Schmiedeskamp) Patek, Mackenzie Patek, Blake Patek, Nick Patek, Breanna Patek and Louis Menkhaus; and seven great-grandchildren: Maddax Patek, Ezekiel Patek, Athena Schmiedeskamp, Elijah Mahnken, Cameron Mahnken, Amelia Schmiedeskamp and Lucas Mahnken.
She also was preceded in death by a daughter: Mary Annette Patek; and seven siblings: Adolph Vincent Abernathy, William (the late Martha) Abernathy, Norman “Tuggy” (the late Catherine) Abernathy, Nadine (the late Arthur) Wehner, Shirley (the late James) Robinson, Yvonne (the late Francis) Cadwallader and Allen “Tony” (the late Betty) Abernathy.
Visitation is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus, with a funeral Mass scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Our Lady Church, 1550 St. Mary’s Lane, in Festus, officiated by Father Steve Lian. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Crystal City. Memorials may be made to Pony Bird Home or Our Lady Catholic Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.