Patricia Ann Venner

Patricia Patsy Ann (Lawton) Venner, age 65 of La Crosse, passed away at Bethany Riverside on Saturday, July 28th, 2012, surrounded by her loving family.

Patsy was born on March 7th, 1947, in Viroqua, WI, to Willard and Mary (Crowley) Lawton. Patsy graduated eighth grade in Stoddard and then from La Farge High School in 1965. She then attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire for four years. She went to work for the La Crosse Family and Childrens Center in La Crosse in 1971, and spent thirty years working with hundreds of special children before retiring at an early age. In 1983, Patsy was united in marriage to Don Venner. Patsy was a very outgoing person and enjoyed time with her family and friends. She also enjoyed her travels to Ireland to visit relatives, playing cards and games, attending Irish activities and fests, and keeping up with family genealogy. She was a longtime member of the La Crosse Area Shamrock Club, and was elected Irish Rose in 1988. She also participated in the Citizen Advocacy Program. Patsy touched many lives of her family members and friends in many different ways, and will be remembered for her laugh and smile, both of which came out especially in a heated game of cards or dominoes.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Don, of La Crosse; her mother, Mary Lawton, of La Farge; one brother, Mike (MaryAnn) Lawton, of La Farge; a Godson and nephew, Greg Lawton, of La Farge; nephews Josh Bayer, of La Farge, and Jerry Bayer, of Cashton; many other nieces, nephews, and in-laws from the Venner family; her cat, Shamrock, and numerous friends and other special relatives who loved her dearly.

Patsy was preceded in death by her cousin, La Verne Lawton, in 2011, her father, Willard Lawton, in 1974, and her grandparents. A special thank you from the family to the Bethany Riverside staff for their care of Patsy while residing there, especially to the nurses and CNAs. The Lawton family would like to thank Don for the unconditional and amazing care that he provided to Patsy over the years, staying at her side at all times when she needed him.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at the Roncalli Newman Center in La Crosse. Rev. Kurzynski will officiate. Burial will follow in the Star Cemetery, La Farge, WI. Family and friends may call at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 from 5-7 p.m., where a rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. and again at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Citizens Advocacy or Newman Student Endowment Trust.