Patricia J. Wenzel, nee Gallagher, 85, passed away Friday, August 9, 2024 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital from complications following cancer.

She was born in 1939, daughter of Padraic and Jean (nee Miller) Gallagher. She married Joseph W. Wenzel, the love of her life, in 1959 in Chicago, IL.

She is survived by her son Kevin (Laura); her daughter Eileen (Dick); three grandchildren, Vincent, Joseph and Johnny; and eleven nieces and nephews.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents; husband Joseph Wenzel; her brothers Edward Burns, Robert Burns (Sharon), Padraic Gallagher (Betty), and Michael Gallagher (Priscilla); and two nieces.

Patricia grew up in Chicago, graduating from Amundsen High School in 1957. She and her husband, Joe, lived in New York for a few years before moving to Champaign, IL. Patricia received a bachelor's degree from Eastern Illinois University. She worked for the University of Illinois in different capacities, retiring from the National Center for Supercomputing Applications in 1999. Afterwards she enjoyed volunteering at the Champaign Public Library, researching her family's history, traveling and gardening. During her life Patricia also enjoyed playing pool, reading, staying fit and birdwatching. She will be missed dearly by her many friends and family.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, consider contributing to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, www.cancer.org , 800-227-2345 OR American Lung Association, P.O. Box 756, Osceola, WI 54020-0756, www.lung.org , 800-586-4872.

For further information please call 312-421-0936.