Patrick "Pat" Ward

Patrick M. “Pat” Ward, 78, of La Crosse, passed away on Friday, August 4, 2017, at the Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse.

He was born in La Crosse on June 24, 1939, to Matthew and Mary (Tomshe) Ward. He married Helen (Fredrickson) Vinson on June 24, 1978, in Onalaska, Wis.

Pat worked for Metallics Inc. for 37 years until his retirement in 2013. In his free time, Pat enjoyed the outdoors while fishing, camping and traveling. He was a skilled woodworker and an accomplished artist, especially drawing. Pat loved dancing, billiards and a cold PBR, but most of all, he loved spending time with family, especially his dear grandchildren.

Pat is survived by his wife, Helen; step-children, Gregory Vinson (Laurie Dutton) of Stafford, Va., Paula Vinson of New Lisbon, Wis., and Steven (Sherri) Vinson of La Crosse; step-grandchildren, Candace, Justin (Amanda), Daniel, Kara (Stephen), Kyle, Amber (Chris) and Serena; and step great grandchildren, Trevin, Amelya, Liberty, Layla, Grace, Kaphen, Kyler, Dezireah and Dakotah. He is also survived by sisters, Martha Ward of Waukesha, Joan (Delmar) Good of Prosper, Minn., and Mary (Craig) Boyer of Trempealeau; sister-in-law, Rosemary Fleischman of McFarland, Wis.; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a step-daughter, Melody Frappier; step-grandson, Christopher Vinson; step great grandchildren, Caden and Kaylyn; three brothers, Joseph Fleischman, Robert Fleischman and James (Jean) Ward; and dear friend and Justin’s mother-in-law, Christine Hanson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 10 ^th , at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 200 West Ave. So., La Crosse. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home and again from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday.

Pat’s family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff on 7 ^th Floor at Mayo Clinic Health System for their wonderful care.