Patricia R. Niemeier

Patricia (Elliott) Niemeier, 77, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at her home due to complications from congestive heart failure. Pat was born to George and Violet Elliott on November 1st, 1946 in Viroqua, WI.

In her early years, Pat spent a lot of time with Dorothy and Bob Rust, who lived in De Soto, WI. They were very good friends with the Elliotts. As time went on Pat stayed full-time with Dorothy and Bob in De Soto and continued her schooling there. She graduated from DeSoto High School in 1964. Although she was separated from her siblings during her childhood, time and age brought them back together.

On June 26, 1965, Pat married the love of her life, Ramon. Ray and Pat were blessed with 8 children and Pat’s life was devoted to her family.  She supported her kids through thick and thin and in her words “would take on the devil if needed to protect her family”. Pat was a farmer’s wife for many years and out of necessity….having 8 children….learned to do a lot of baking, costume making, poem writing and project making. She was a volleyball coach, 4-H leader, 1st Responder, business owner (What Not Shoppe) and was occasionally tasked to care for young farm animals in the house, much to her dismay.

Pat decided in her late thirties that she wanted to go to nursing school.  While raising her children and working on the farm, she graduated from WTC with her nursing degree. She devoted her time and caring nature as a bedside nurse and found her passion in hospice and home care. Eventually Pat became the Director of Mayo Hospice and Home Care. As a supervisor, she always wanted her employees to remember that the job was the second most important thing in an employee’s life, family was most important.

She especially treasured her relationships with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved those grandkids with all her heart and soul and would do anything for them. She enjoyed watching them interact with their parents and gave a little chuckle at the things that she saw.  Pat found it a joy to be the best grandma she could be based on all of the experiences of raising 8 children.

In her free time, Pat loved spending time at her camper, fishing, taking pontoon rides with her trusted captain Ramon, attending her grandchildren’s sporting events and volunteering her time to help those in need. Anyone who attends West Salem sporting events knows exactly where Pat sat at basketball and volleyball games.

Amongst her other qualities, Pat was an amazing baker. Her world famous scotcheroo recipe cannot be re-created. She also perfected apple crisp and any family meal to serve 60+. She made chili with noodles and even though the kids had to eat the chili beans, she as the mom, did not. There were many days when the kids got off from the bus and there was a table full of homemade bread and cinnamon rolls.

Before her health started to decline, Pat and Ramon enjoyed traveling to different parts of the US. They frequently visited Pat’s siblings in WI and IL.  She had fond memories of casino trips, stopping at garage sales, fishing and always starting the day with a big breakfast and many laughs.

Pat is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Ramon. She is further survived by her 8 children Dawn (Bruce) Eckelberg, Cathy (Dave) Leibl, Ray (Steph) Niemeier, Rick (Brad) Niemeier, Ryan (Summer) Niemeier, Rob (Alicia) Niemeier, Becki (Kevin) Murphy and Nicki (Ryan) Kammel. She was a devoted grandmother to Josh (Molli) Eckelberg, Dani (Clark) Draxler, Casey (Joe) Vacek, Ben (Heidi) Leibl, Jake Leibl, Joey (Sarah Fitzgerald) Leibl, Shannon (Dan) Sprehn, Jamie (Ethan) Thomas, Abbie Niemeier, Zack Niemeier, Lauren (Jesse) Liethen, Taylor (Tyler) Lueck, Brady Niemeier, Macalister Livangood, Sydney Niemeier, Sammi Niemeier, Harper Niemeier, Andrew Murphy, Katie Murphy, Kenzie Murphy, Morgan Kammel, Reice Kammel, Spencer Kammel and loving great-grandmother to 19 great-grandchildren. Pat is further survived by her siblings Jim Elliott, Terry Elliott, Dennis (Betty) Elliott, Priscilla (Randy) Weinke and Bob (Bonnie) Elliott.

She has been reunited in Heaven with those that preceded her in death – her parents, George and Violet and Robert and Dorothy, siblings Dean Elliott, Arnita Sommerville, Bernita Toye, Nancy Case, and sisters-in-law Vivian Elliott and Delores Elliott.

Pat’s family would like to sincerely thank the West Salem 1st Responders, Tri State Ambulance and the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Department for their quick response and compassionate care during Pat’s final moments.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 4-7pm on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at Fox Hollow Banquet Hall in Barre Mills.  A short service will take place at 7:15pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to causes that were very important to Pat:

West Salem Cares http://wscaresfoundation.com/

West Salem Booster Club

The La Crosse Warming Center