Patricia L Fitzpatrick

God called an angel home when Patricia Pat L. Fitzpatrick, 79, of La Crosse, WI passed away at her home on Saturday, November 3, 2012. Cancer met its match with Pat. Her determination gave her 13 more years to create memories with family and friends.She was born on April 21, 1933 in La Crosse, WI as the fifth daughter of Frank and Anna (Mehren) Lepsch. She married Richard W. Fitzpatrick on September 29, 1951, in La Crosse.Pat was a Longtime member of Mary Mother of the Church Parish at St. Thomas More Church; minister of Communion; member of the New Life Funeral Choir; Catholic Order of Foresters; square dancer with the Happy Twirlers, Pistols n Petticoats and Gingham Squares; fan of the CBA Catbirds basketball team; singer with Variety Singers and a regular with the McDonald's coffee group. She also loved to crochet and entertain with large family gatherings. She is survived by her best friend and husband of 61 years, Richard Dick Fitzpatrick; 7 children, Shari (Bruce) Potter of Owego, NY, Beckysue Fitzpatrick of Tomah, WI, Larry (Deana) Fitzpatrick of La Crosse, Debbie (Jim) Kroner of Onalaska, Judy (Bill) Rathjen of Kouts, IN, Diane (Barry) Reynolds of Sheboygan, Amy (Todd) Koboski of Black River Falls, WI; 21 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 9 siblings, Beatrice Mueller, Kathleen Michel, Angeline (James) Gschwind, Phyllis Molzahn, Peter (Sharon) Lepsch, Paul (Barbara) Lepsch, Mary (Thomas) Tenant, Robert (Rose) Lepsch and sister-in-law Julie Lepsch; brother-in-law, Don (Jan) Fitzpatrick; sister-in-law, Mary (Al) Wheeler; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother; a brother-in-law; sister-in-law and a grandson.Special thanks to the nursing staff at Mayo Franciscan Skemp Cancer Center and Hospice. After 13 years of care you all became friends.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, Nov. 8 at 10:30 a.m. at Mary Mother of the Church Parish at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 2006 Weston St. La Crosse. Rev. Douglas Robertson will be officiating. Inurnment will be at a future time. Friends may call at the church on Wednesday from 5 - 7 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 9 a.m. until time of services. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Ovarian Cancer research, Mary Mother of the Church Parish or donors choice. The Schumacher Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is in charge of arrangements.