Patricia (Patsy) Elizabeth Dittrich Wellmann

Born December 7, 1946, in Schulenburg, Texas, Patsy grew up on her parents’ family farm with her three siblings Henry, Myrtle and Patrick (Butch). She attended elementary school at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School and then Bishop Forest High School, graduating in 1965. While in high school, she was a member of CYO (Catholic Youth Organization), Future Homemakers of America and a Rangerettes cheerleader, serving as vice president of the cheer team.

On September 5, 1966, she married Ralph Wellmann at St. Rose Catholic Church in Schulenburg. Ralph and Patsy first met at Swiss Alp dance hall between Schulenburg and LaGrange. B.J. Thomas performed during that destined night, and they danced together and quickly fell for each other. After dating for several months, they married and then moved to Huntsville for Ralph to complete his MBA at Sam Houston State University. After his graduation, they returned to Ralph’s hometown of Brenham where their first son Brian was born. When Ralph took a job at Texas A&M, the family moved to College Station, and their son Rodney was born. Patsy loved taking care of her two boys and supporting them in their many activities. She’s dearly and deeply loved by both her sons.

Patsy worked as the Staff Accountant for 32 years at Cyclotron Institute at Texas A&M University. In that time she worked with several directors and managed the travel and budgets of all researchers. She was a dedicated and loyal worker and loved by her colleagues. After retiring in 2004, Patsy continued to stay in touch with her colleagues who had become close friends.

Her pride and joy were her grandchildren Harrison and Chelsea (and her granddog Harley). Her retirement gave her ample time to attend their school activities and sporting events, where you could hear her cheering loudly for them! She always supported their efforts and was so proud of all they accomplished. Her cooking was something Harrison and Chelsea always talked about; her pizza burgers and banana pudding were their favorites. She is so loved by her grandchildren who will deeply miss her advice and encouragement.

Patsy also loved traveling. She and Ralph were part of a traveling group that took yearly trips to places across the United States from New York to Memphis and California and the Pacific Northwest to various cities along the east coast. Patsy traveled to Germany with her mom and sister to learn more about the family’s German ancestry because she kept meticulous files on her family history. Later Patsy and Ralph went with Brian on a multi-country trip to Europe driving from Poland and The Netherlands to Germany and Austria and then France and Italy, where they went to the Vatican and had an audience with the Pope. She also traveled to Spain and Portugal with her son Brian, and she enjoyed cruising with Ralph in the Caribbean and into Alaska where they also took a train to Canada.

Patsy had a green thumb too with a garden of thriving plants and flowers and vegetables. During Christmas time, her favorite time of year, the house was always decorated with vibrant poinsettias and items she collected from her travels. Her home was always open for family dinners, hosting holiday events and cooking all the dishes, as well as taking care of family and friends visiting College Station by providing a warm meal and a place to stay. She was a long-time member of Bunco groups, enjoying the fellowship and food and friendly competition. At these events she was always lucky, consistently rolling a Bunco and winning many games. And at family dinners, she often won her favorite game Pollyanna.

Patsy faithfully attended weekly mass and chapel at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, where she and Ralph were founding members. For 20 years she served parishioners by coordinating meals for funerals. Patsy also volunteered at The Med to assist patients beginning rehab, encouraging and supporting them after surgery. She was a steadfast servant to God’s command to love her neighbor and her community.

In addition to helping others, she spent most days listening to music, going on walks and talking to friends and family on the phone. In any conversation, her laughter was infectious, filling the room. Patsy was a spirited and outgoing friend to all and was profoundly loved by many. Her endless energy and loads of love will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her beloved husband of almost 60 years, Ralph Reinhard Wellmann of College Station, and her son Brian Scott Wellmann of Dallas and her son Rodney Alan Wellmann and her daughter-in-law Courtney Haggard Wellmann of College Station and their children William Harrison Wellmann of New York City and Chelsea Elizabeth Wellmann of College Station; her sister Myrtle Dittrich Bartosh of Pasadena; her sisters-in-law Beatrice Hollek Dittrich of Schulenburg, Merle Wellmann Kyzar of Brady and Pauline Wellmann Oden of Brenham; her brother-in-law Vernon Wellmann and his wife Katherine of Brenham, as well as many nieces and nephews and their children.

She is preceded in death by her parents Henry and Elizabeth Christ Dittrich, her brothers Henry and Patrick (Butch) Dittrich, and her brothers-in-laws Leonard Bartosh, Mike Hodges, Ronny Kyzar and Tommy Wellmann. She is survived by her parents-in-law Herbert and Hilda Wellmann.

A celebration of life service will be held at Memorial Funeral Chapel College Station at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 5, with visitation at 9 a.m. and a reception following the service. On Saturday, June 6, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in High Hill near Schulenburg, visitation begins at 9 a.m. with a rosary held at 10 a.m. and mass at 10:30 a.m. followed by a graveside service. Afterwards, the family invites friends to join them for lunch in the hall at St. Mary’s.

Memorials can be made to the causes close to Patsy’s heart: Special Olympics, the Fayette County Commission for Intellectual Disabilities or St. Mary’s Church in High Hill.