Patti Herold was a manager at the Wagon Wheel and upscale hotels

Patricia “Patti” Herold moved to Rockton, IL as a young adult, and began her family. She was hired by the Wagon Wheel as a model and hostess but quickly advanced in her career as dining manager. Patti’s career catapulted from there - she became the sales and catering manager at the Holiday Inn in South Beloit, IL in its heyday. Later, as Patti’s career expanded, she began to manage upscale hotels in Beloit, Delavan and Lake Geneva until her retirement.

She passed away on January 30, 2025.

Patti was extremely successful in the hospitality industry and had a reputation as a superb event planner. She planned weddings, class reunions, business meetings and every type of get together you can think of that is important in someone’s life. She was dedicated, detail oriented, conscientious, and treated every event as if it were one of her own. She met many wonderful people whose events she planned and it was not unusual for Patti to be stopped at a restaurant or grocery store by someone whose life she had touched in her career. It was something she and her family were so proud of.

Patti was born September 6, 1939 in Duluth, MN, a place very near and dear to her heart. A die-hard Vikings fan, Patti’s love for her hometown and home state never wavered and she relished the times she would return to visit or vacation. In recent years, she planned a memorable reunion for her entire family in Duluth. She showed them where she grew up and the many things and places she loved, including her famous "hot dish" recipe (a Minnesota staple!) and her beloved Lake Superior.

Patti’s greatest pride and joy were her family: four children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A wonderful pianist, Patti enjoyed sharing her love of music with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had a wicked memory for numbers and was a strong competitor (and often the winner!) in the games she loved to play with her family. She loved when her family was together and put them at the center of her life.

Patti lived a beautiful life filled with love, kindness and laughter and touched the lives of all who met her. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, partner and friend. Patti maintained lifelong relationships and was an amazing listener and wonderful sounding board. She always had time to be there for anyone who needed her loving, caring advice delivered by her sweet, comforting voice. She was a treasure to all that were fortunate to know her.

Patti is survived by her long-time partner David Reibold, children Terrill (Kevin) Smith, Tom Herold (Jr.), Tracie Herold and Tricia Herold; grandchildren Brianna (Chris) DeLong, Alexa Herold, Hazel Zevos, Emmit Mansfield, Carmen Weishan-Herold and Sebastian Weishan-Herold, three great-grandchildren, niece LeeAnn Havard and her two children. She is preceded in death by her mother, father, sister and niece. It is without a doubt that anyone who knew her will be deeply saddened by the news of her passing and will miss her greatly.

The family says, "We invite all who knew her to join us in remembering what a truly wonderful person she was and how she impacted many lives with her kind and loving spirit." They will be having a private celebration of her life at a later date.