Patricia “Patti” Korth

Patricia “Patti” Korth passed away on January 11, 2022, exactly five years to the day she was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma and given only 8-10 months to live. With Mom’s sheer will to live and love, and the incredible care of Dr Ben George and his team at Froedtert, she beat all odds. Our mom was a fighter up to the very end, and even though her battle was long, her end came way too fast. She was the ultimate pillar of strength and yet so fragile at the same time. She was never a complainer, she took every step of her journey one at a time.

When Mom was first diagnosed, we took her to Mayo Clinic for a second opinion. After confirmation of the initial diagnosis with Dr. Halfdarnessen and Dr. Malki, she walked through the hallways at the facility in Rochester, MN telling every passerby to live your life now, don’t wait for tomorrow or retirement, live it now.

She first posted on her Caring Bridge page, "We cannot direct the wind ... but we can adjust the sails".

Adjust the sails, she did. She kept herself active, involved and spent a lot of time with those she loved. Her strength came from the outpouring of support from family, friends, and the power of prayer. Mom split her time post-retirement in the north and the south, getting treated in both locations. She found peace and strength in the warm Florida sun close to some of her beloved siblings. They enjoyed boating, biking, Bocce, Euchre, Rizzoball, open-air markets, and more, but most importantly being together.

Mom valued her family, friendships, and faith the most. Mom is survived by her husband of 46 years, Kim; loving mother of Kerri (Todd) Richardson, Kristy (Rich) Sweigard, and Kevin Korth. Grandmother of Shay, Tyson, and the late Kaden Sweigard. Sister of Daniel Dennehy, Denise (Warren) Haeberle, Cathy (Scott) Fleming, and Emmett (Kellie) Dennehy. Further survived by nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, relatives, and friends.

Her kindness, her determination, her love for family, her fighting Irish DNA, and a mantra to live by…We're not sure how much more Mom could have given us. We will forever hold Mom in our hearts. Rest In Eternal Peace.

In celebration of her life and to honor her memory, we are starting a fundraising campaign for the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation to provide increased research and awareness of this cancer.