Patricia McNitt

Patricia Joan (Wilcox) McNitt Pat was no ordinary woman. She had a spirit for adventure, the determination of a true “sandhills lady”, and an unwavering love for nature, life long learning, and family. She passed away peacefully with her faithful companion Itsy at her side on Saturday, August 27th at her home in Seneca, NE. Born January 1933 in Alliance, NE, she grew up in a sod home on the 24Bar Ranch, near Ellsworth, NE with parents Edison and Mildred Wilcox. She is survived by sister Sharon (Bob) Goff of Chadron and preceded in death by parents and siblings, Mike, Ramona and Colleen. Pat graduated high school from Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis, NE where she also met and married Joe McNitt and lived the majority of her adult life on and around the LX Ranch in Cherry County, NE. After the death of Joe, she later married Gary Smith, North Platte, NE and they continued the ranching operation. Eventually she became one of a small number of independent female ranch owners. Pat was a free spirit who always “took the road less traveled”. Her love of camping and genealogy took her to most of the states via her various camping “rigs” where she explored every rural road she could find. No other place ever came close to replacing her love and passion for her Sandhills. Pat’s approach to ranching and gardening were all about being a great steward of the land and animals while appreciating what God had provided. Her legacy will be carried on through her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren that loved her dearly. To her family she imparted the wisdom of important life lessons like; having a spirit for adventure, being strong and independent, working hard and playing hard, being a good problem solver and appreciating the natural world we live in. Family includes Steven (Tana) McNitt of Kearney, children Tyler, Jordan and Luke; Jolleen (Stephen) Clymer of Lincoln, children Shea and Brittany; Randy (Pat) McNitt of Maxwell, Randy’s children Mandy and Kelsey, and Pat’s son, Jason; Terrill McNitt of Lincoln; and Dr. Aprill (JJ) Sherman of Hayden, ID, son Adrian; and 7 great grandchildren. In honor of Patricia’s wishes her ashes will be spread from her favorite spot at the LX Ranch with her family present. Memorials may be sent to Nebraska Educational TV or the Sandhills Area Foundation in memory of Patricia McNitt.