Children of Jennie Riel and George Pater are:
Margaret Pater, born February 02, 1917 in Waupun, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin; died May 5, 2003 Waupun Memorial Hospital, Waupun, Dodge County, Wisconsin.
Josephine Pater, born June 09, 1918 in Alto Township, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin; died October 15, 1994 in Beaver Dam Care Center, Beaver Dam, Dodge County, Wisconsin.
Willamina "Willie" Pater, born September 17, 1919 in Waupun, Wisconsin; died July 28 2007 at the Christian Home, Waupun, Dodge County, Wisconsin. She married Wilbert Willis (Smitty) Smits September 20, 1940 in Brandon, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin; He was born July 5, 1918 at his home in Brandon, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin; died May 16, 2005 at the Waupun Memorial Hospital, Waupun, Dodge County, Wisconsin.
Johanna Pater, born May 30, 1921 in Waupun, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin; died February 13, 1975 in Oostburg, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin.
Harriet Pater, born PRIVATE.
Gertrude Jane Pater, born PRIVATE.
Sunday evening in St. Joseph's hospital where she had been taken early that morning. She had been
ill only a short time. Mrs. Pater was born Nov. 27, 1886, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Riel.
She was married to George Pater July 29, 1915, and the couple resided in and near Waupun all of
their married life. Mr. Pater died in December, 1944. Mrs. Pater had been residing recently with her
son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Van Loo of Brandon. Survivors include six
daughters, Mrs. Dick Schears, Mrs. Arthur Van Loo, Mrs. Wilbert Smits, Mrs. Theodore
Streekstra, Mrs. Theodore Vander Woude, and Mrs. Marvin Oonk of Oostburg; 12 grandchildren;
three brothers, Gerrit and John Riel of Waupun, Jake Riel of Brandon, and three sisters, Mrs. H.
Pater, Mrs. Henry Van Ruiswyk, and Mrs. Albert Van Loo, all of Waupun and vicinity. Funeral
services were held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Kohls Funeral Home, and at 2 p.m. in the First
Reformed Church. The Rev. Anthony Van Harn officiated at the services and burial was made in the
Alto cemetery. She was buried on Feb 15 1950 in Alto Cemetery, Alto Twp, Fond du Lac, WI.
November 27, 1884 Date of Death December 29, 1944 Date and Hour of Services January 2,
1945 at 2:00 p.m. Clergyman Rev. Ebbers Held at Bethel Reformed Church Brandon, Wisconsin
Place of Interment Alto Cemetery Alto, Wisconsin Arrangements by Hinkamp and Kohls Funeral
Home Waupun, Wisconsin.
I shall not want . . . He maketh me to lie down in green pastures . . . He leadeth me beside the still
waters . . . He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for Thou art with
me. Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of
mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over . . . Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever! Psalm 23
He was buried on Jan 2 1945 in Alto Cemetery, Alto Twp, Fond du Lac, WI. Day laborer at
Farming and Hemp Mill lived in the Alto and Waupun Wi area He was married to Jennie RIEL on
Jul 29 1915.
The leader News-Jan. 4, 1945:
George Pater, 60, Died Suddenly; Services Were Held Tuesday in Brandon
George Pater, 60, died suddenly of a heart attack, Friday afternoon while helping his son-in-law, Arthur Van Loo, on his farm in the town of Alto.
Mr. Pater was born on Nov. 27, 1884, in the town of Alto, and was married to Jennie Riel on July 27, 1915. He had resided on farms near Waupun until moving to the city last March.
Survivors include the widow, six daughters, Mrs. Dick Schears, and Mrs. Arthur Van Loo, of the town of Alto, Mrs. Wilbert Smits and Mrs. Theodore Streekstra of Waupun, Mrs. Marvin Oonk of Oostburg, and Miss Gertrude Pater, at home; three brothers, Andrew, Harry and Will Pater, all of Waupun; one sister, Mrs. Nick Dykgraff, of Waupun, and five grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 1:15 o'clock in the Hinkamp and Kohls Funeral home, and at 2 p.m. in the Bethal Reformed church in Brandon. The Rev. A. J. Ebbers officiated at the services. Burial was in the Alto cemetery.
Pallbearers were, William Van Ruiswyk, James Riel, James D. Riel, Clarence Nummerdor, William Pater, and John Wilderman.
Willamina Smits, aged 87 of Waupun, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at the Christian Home.
Willamina was born to George and Jennie (Riel) Pater on September 17, 1919 in Waupun. She was united in marriage to Wilbert "Smitty" Smits on September 20, 1940 in Brandon. Willie was a dedicated, faithful wife with no children of her own, but was so proud of her many nieces and nephews whom she adored. She was employed as a rivet inspector for over twenty years at National Rivert of Waupun and also Milldred Tool of Aurora, IL. In their retirement years, Smitty and Willie wintered in Florida and spent summers in Neshkoro. Willie was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary in Pine Island, Florida for over thirty years. She also belonged to Royal Order of the Moose. She was a self-taught harmonica player, and with her husband, enjoyed playing with the Harmonica Rascals of Ripon. Willie enjoyed doing crafts, crocheting, and making jewelry items for herself. She will be remembered as a special person who enjoyed the simple things in life.
Willamina is suvived by two sisters, Harriet Streekstra and Gertrude (Theodore) Vander Woude, both of Waupun; her special care givers, Larry and Jolene Vander Woude, Waupun: Harlan and Judy Hopp, Oakfiled; and Joan and Roger Miller, Pennsylvania; many cherised nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband on May 16, 2005; and three sisters, Margaret Schears; Josephine Van Loo; and Johanna Oonk.
A memorial fund is being establised in Willamima's name.
Kohls Community Funeral Home, Waupun is serving the family.
Daily Citizems-May 18, 2005:
WAUPUN-Wilbert "Smitty" Smits, 86, of Waupun, died Monday, May 16, 2005, at Waupun Memorial Hospital.
Wilbert was born on July 5, 1918, at his home in Brandon, the son of William and Minnie (Peters) Smits. On Sept. 20, 1940, he was united in marriage to Willamina Pater in Brandon.
Wilbert served his country during World War II as a member of the U.S. Army, where he received numerous decorations, including the Presidential Unit Citation, Bronze Service Arrowhead Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal, and Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Bronze Star. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post of Pine Island, Fla. Wilbert worked as a dairy farmer before being employed for several years with National Rivet, Milfred Rivet of Aurora, Ill., and Illinois Tool Works in Elgin, Ill., retiring in the mid 1970's. He enjoyed traveling and fishing. He spent the winters in Florida and the summers in Neshkoro, Wis. He had his pilot license and loved to fly to the Dakota's to go pheasant hunting. Wilbert used his musical talent playing accordion and he also belonged to a Harmonica Band in both Pine Island, Fla. and the Harmonica Band of Ripon. He was instrumental in organizing worship services in Pine Island. Wilbert was a member of the local order of Moose Lodge 2199 of Cape Coral, Fla.
Wilbert is survived by Willamina, his wife of 64 years; two sisters, Alice Riel, Markesan, and Marie Hopp, Waupun. Wilbert received much joy from his relationships with his many nieces and nephews who also survive him, along with other relatives and numerous friends.
An infant sister, Angeline, preceded him in death on Oct. 16, 1920. His parents also preceded him.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 20, at the Kohls Community Funeral Home, 405 W. Main St., Waupun. The Rev. Donald Boss will officiate. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post 210. Inurnment will be in the Alto Cemetery.
Friends may call on Thursday, May 19, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home and again on Friday, from 10 a.m. until the hour of service.
The Kohls Community Funeral Home, Waupun, is serving the family. View their Web site at http://kohls.plan4ever.com.
