Patricia "Pat" Walz

Patricia “Pat” Irene Hampton Walz, 74, passed away on March 24, 2026, at Great Plains Health in North Platte, Nebraska.

Pat was born on January 19, 1952, in Sutherland to Robert Daniel and Hannah Marie (Stumpf) Hampton. She grew up two miles north of Hershey and attended Hershey Public Schools, graduating in 1970.

On January 23, 1971, Pat married her high school sweetheart, Kenneth Walz, at the United Methodist Church in Hershey. The couple spent their early years in a small house along the North Platte River before moving into the home they built together in 1976.

Throughout her career, Pat served her community and its children with dedication. She worked as a teacher’s aide for the Birdwood School District, served as secretary for the Hershey United Methodist Church, and later returned to Hershey Public Schools as a teacher’s aide. She then became the Grades 7–12 Secretary, a role she held for more than 25 years until her retirement in 2018—touching the lives of hundreds of Panther students along the way. She also supported her husband in his business, Ken’s Electric.

In the early 1980s, Pat joined a Bible study group at the Hershey United Methodist Church with Carol Eshleman, Carolyn Fear, Jannette Lantis, and Sandy Kruback—women who became her lifelong friends. United by their shared love of music, they formed the contemporary Christian singing group “God’s Children,” performing at venues throughout the area.

Pat was proud, strong, and sometimes outspoken—a woman who fiercely loved and defended her family and friends. An accomplished bread maker, she carried on her mother’s passion for baking. Her greatest joy came from being a wife, a mother, and later, a Mimi to her cherished grandchildren.

Pat is survived by her children, Steven Walz and Alicia (Lucas) Odean, both of Hershey; her grandchildren, Emma (Cody Ingo), Brady, and Alise Odean; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Randy and Sheila Walz; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Sherri and Dave Laubner, all of North Platte; and several nieces, nephews, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; her sister, Teresa Marquardt; and her parents, Robert and Hannah Hampton.

Cremation was chosen. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the family to help offset the cost of care.

Online condolences may be shared at https://www.odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.