Patricia "Pat" Person (Novicki), 86, of Columbus Nebraska, peacefully passed away at her home in the morning on September 12, 2025.

A celebration of life service will be held on Thursday, September 18, at 10:30 AM at Gass Haney Funeral Home. Visitation will be on Wednesday, September 17 from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM and continue Thursday, from 9:30 AM until service time, all at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to: Paws & Claws (Animal Adoption/Shelter) 2124 13th Street, Columbus, NE 68601,402-562-5683. The funeral service will be broadcast live on the Gass Haney Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057043736890

Patricia Ann (Novicki) Person was born on August 22, 1939, to Barney and Rosie (Bartusiak) Novicki of Columbus. Pat spent her whole life in Columbus and graduated from Kramer High School in 1957. While in high school she was a cheerleader, participated in school plays, and was co-editor of the school newspaper. She was co-editor because the school would not let her be the sole editor of the newspaper because she was a girl, she had to share it with a guy.

After graduating from high school, Pat married Ronald Person at St. Bonaventure Church on May 24, 1958. They were blessed with four children: Sam, Becky, Bobbee, and Mary.

Pat loved spending time with her family and attending grandchildren's events. She enjoyed ice skating, running, running 5K's, roller skating, snow skiing, cross country skiing, sailing, tennis, swimming, golf, and watching/listening to Nebraska football and volleyball games. Pat loved to watch the big 4 tennis tournaments.

Pat had many jobs besides being a mom. She worked for Person's Sport shop as a bookkeeper, sewing uniforms, and retail sales. Pat also obtained a CNA nursing degree from Platte College in 1989 and worked in Genoa as a care giver.

Pat was an avid reader of history, art, poetry and especially whodunit mysteries. Her favorite authors were Lilian Jackson Braun (The Cat who…) and PD James. Her favorite poets were Ogden Nash and Henry Longfellow.

Pat went to school later in life and obtained a Commercial Art degree and associate's degree from Platte Community College in 1988. She was a talented artist and won best in show for her batik picture "When Cats Dream", plus a first place for her self-portrait.

Pat liked to garden and had a vast knowledge of plants, flowers, and trees. She loved the outdoors and preferred being outside.  Pat was a passionate wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend.  Pat loved her flowers and her garden. She was also very talented at sewing, knitting and crocheting and made quilts for her loved ones. Pat was an extraordinary, phenomenal, amazingly rare, and remarkable mom and friend and will be deeply missed.

Pat is survived by:
Brother: Larry (Jan) Novicki of Omaha, NE
Sister: Joan Westphal of Lincoln, NE
Three daughters:
Rebecca Person of Kansas City, MO
Bobbee Gronenthal of Columbus, NE
Mary (Bill) Lohrberg of Lincoln, NE
Grandchildren:
Pete (Maddie) Gronenthal of Fremont, NE
Lee (Leah) Lohrberg of Lincoln, NE
Kat (Jeremy) Williams of Lincoln, NE
Great Grandchildren:
Merrick Gronenthal & Bram Williams
Numerous cousins

Pat was preceded in death by:
Parents: Barney & Rosie Novicki
Husband: Ronald Person
Son: Sam Person
Grandchild: Ila Gronenthal