PATRICIA JEAN WANKUM

Patricia Jean Wankum, 59, of Jefferson City, died Monday, Jan. 15, 2007, at St. Marys Health Center. She was born on May 3, 1947, in Litchfield, IL, the daughter of John Bernard and Celestine Elizabeth Krager Lyons. She was married on June 6, 1970, in Raymond, IL, to Robert Patrick Wankum, M.D., who survives at the home. Mrs. Wankum was a 1965 graduate of Lincolnwood High School and received the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from St. Louis University in 1969. On Dec. 31, 2004, she retired from Jefferson City Medical Group where she had been employed for twenty-eight years as a registered nurse and Managed Care Coordinator. She previously worked as a public health nurse for the St. Louis County Health Department, the University of Missouri Multiple Handicap Clinic, and the St. Louis Regional for Developmental Disabilities. She was also an instructor of Pediatrics at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. She was on the advisory board of Jefferson City Association for Children with Learning Disabilities; the Jefferson City community coordinator for the establishment of the Mid-Missouri Ronald McDonald House; past president of the St. Joseph Cathedral School Board; co-organizer of Adolescent Suicide Alert Program for Jefferson City; volunteer with Reach for Recovery of the American Cancer Society; chairman of the Speakers Bureau for People for Educational Progress; coordinator of Encouragement Through Caring, breast cancer support group; Helias Foundation Board; St. Marys Health Center Foundation Board of Directors; Blue Ribbon Committee for St. Marys Foundation; past president of St. Marys Health Center Board of Regents; past vice-chair of St. Marys Health Center Board of Directors; and past secretary-treasurer of the Mid-Missouri Medical Foundation Board. She was past president of the Cole County Medical Alliance Board of Directors; represented the Missouri State Medical Association at the White House Conference for Drug-Free America; and served as past president and chairman of the delegation for the American Medical Association Alliance. Active with the American Medical Association and Alliance, Mrs. Wankum was chairman of the Legislation Committee and member of the Board of Directors; AMA Council on Legislation; and presenter for its Speakers Bureau. She was a past president and chairman of the Legislation and Nominating committees of the Cole County Medical Alliance. She was a recipient of the Excellence in Leadership Award from the Missouri State Hospital Association; 2004 Zonta International Women of Achievement Award; and the 2006 Jean Wankum Legislative Award by the Missouri State Medical Association Alliance was named in her honor. She was a member of the Cathedral of Saint Joseph. Other survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Andrew and Patricia Wankum, Jefferson City; one daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and Shaun Belongie, Chicago; one grandson, Grady Patrick Belongie; her mother, Celestine Lyons, Raymond, IL; three brothers and their wives, Richard and Sharon Lyons, Harvel, IL; James Lyons, Albany, NY; and Greg and Joellen Lyons, Glenarm, IL. She was preceded in death by her father. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007, at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph with Msgr. Robert A. Kurwicki officiating. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17th, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Memorials are suggested to St. Marys Foundation, 100 St. Marys Medical Plaza, Jefferson City, MO 65101. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.