Romona M. Patoka, 77, of Plover died peacefully at WhisperingPinesAssistedLivingCenter early Tuesday morning, March 4, 2014 while holding hands with her daughter, Sandy.

Romona was born December 23, 1936 in Polonia.  She was the daughter of the late Frank and Johanna (Yenter) Wroblewski.  She attended local schools and graduated from P.J.JacobsHigh School in 1954.

Her marriage to Maynard Patoka took place November 24, 1956 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church.  He preceded her in death on November 3, 2013.

Romona worked for Consolidated Papers prior to starting her family.  While raising her seven children, Romona also worked alongside Maynard as a bookkeeper for their Morning Glory Dairy Distribution business.

Romona was a member of the St. Bronislava Rosary Society and faithfully prayed the rosary each morning.

She enjoyed gardening, canning vegetables, playing cards and spending time with her family.  Romona loved to dance with Maynard to polka music, a reflection back to their first meeting at the local dance hall.

Romona’s strength, courage and grace in life were most evident during the past year as she fought an amazing battle to recover from two strokes.

She is survived by her seven children; Sandy (Mike) Pavelski, Roger (Sharon) Patoka, Brian (Lynette) Patoka and Lori (Tim) Buchkowski all of Plover, Carol (Bill) Rudiger of Amherst, Kim (Bob) Lawrence of Plymouth, MN, and Jodi (William) Rentfrow of Stevens Point.

Eighteen grandchildren, Jerry, Sheri, Joe, Scott, Kyle, Kolin, Wesley, Curtis, Aaron, Paul, Chelsea, Toni, Jacob, Matthew, Caden, Johanna, Abigail and Natalie.

Seven great grandchildren; Leah, Mark, Nolan, Oliver, Nathan, Annabelle and Liam.

Romona is further survived by one sister, Leona Ziolkowski, Stevens Point, three brothers, Myron (Betty) Wroblewski, Plover, Anton (Anita) Wroblewski, Milwaukee and Henry (Arlene) Wroblewski, Amherst.  She is also survived by additional family members and treasured friends.

Romona was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Maynard Patoka, one brother, Hubert Wroblewski, and two sisters, Irene Glodowski and Dorothy Wroblewski.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 8, 2014 at St. Bronislava Catholic Church, Rev. James Trempe officiating.  Burial will follow in the St. Bronislava Parish Cemetery.  Family and friends may call from 9:00 a.m until the time for mass. Pisarski Community Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Plover is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.

Romona’s children would like to thank the staff at Whispering Pines and Portage County Health Care Center for their compassion and loving care they provided to Romona.