Patricia J. Placke-Massing

Patricia J. Placke-Massing, 57, of Grand Island, died Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, at CHI Health Saint Francis in Grand Island, surrounded by her family. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Grand Island. The Rev. Donald A. Buhrman and Deacon Donald J. Placke will celebrate the Mass. Inurnment will be in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul. Visitation will 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the church, with a 7 p.m. vigil service. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family. Patricia was born on March 31, 1960, at Kearney, the daughter of Robert F. and Shirley C. (Lawson) Thompson. She lived with her family on a dairy farm near Gibbon. At the age of 3 she moved with her family to Phillips where she attended the Phillips Consolidated School. In 1971, they moved to a dairy farm north of Grand Island and she attended country school and was one of the first students to attend the newly built District 1-R school. They later moved near Chapman and she attended Central City Public School. In 1975, the family purchased the Lone Tree Station & Cafe in St. Libory and she graduated from St. Paul High School in 1978. She was united in marriage to Jerald L. Placke on Jan. 29, 1977, at the St. Libory's Catholic Church in St. Libory. The couple lived in St. Libory where they raised their six children. She was united in marriage to Fred L. Massing on June 18, 2014, at St. Mary's Cathedral in Grand Island. Over the years Pat worked in retail at the Conestoga Mall and later as a bank teller in several Grand Island banks. She most recently worked in insurance coding. She was a member of St. Leo's Catholic Church and the Grand Island Saddle Club. Pat enjoyed playing the piano and organ and was a longtime organist at St. Libory's Catholic Church, having played for Masses and many funerals and weddings. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and loved dancing, traveling and shopping. She is survived by her husband, Fred L. Massing of Grand Island; six children and spouses, Shannon and Jamie Placke of Grand Island, Simon Placke of Palmer, Ben and Lacey Placke of St. Libory, Tony and Sarah Placke of St. Libory, Jennifer Negrete of Peoria, AZ and Vincent and Nicole Placke of St. Libory; 15 grandchildren, Logan and Cameron Placke; Jerimy, Gavin and Chloe Placke; Mason and Payton Placke; Elijah, Olivia and Malachi Placke; Lexie, Quentin and Audrie Negrete; and Violet and Vaida Placke; three brothers and one sister, Ron Thompson and Cheryl Knickerbocker of Grand Island, Ed Thompson and Dan Kremer of Omaha, Cheryl Allard and Rod Rowe of St. Paul, and James Thompson and Wendy McKoski of Elba. She is also survived by Fred's children and spouses, Steve and Carol Massing of Lincoln, Greg and Kindy Massing of Grand Island, Joyce and Art May of Grand Island, Chris and Karen Massing of Aurora, and Mitch and Lorie Massing of Grand Island; 8 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents. Memorials are suggested to the family's choice, American Cancer Society or the Grand Island Crisis Center.