Obituaries

Patricia Jean Schwanz

Patricia Schwanz

PORTAGE -- Patricia Jean Schwanz, age 63, passed into eternal life to be with her beloved Savior on Wednesday, December 1, 2009 at Divine Savior Extended Care in Portage.

Patsy was born in Portage, on May 24, 1946, at Divine Savior Hospital, the daughter of Bernard Sr. and Hazel (Konkel) Schwanz. Patsy attended the Lewiston Elementary School in Lewiston Township in Columbia County.  During the third grade Patsy entered into the Homebound Schooling provided by the Portage School District.  In 1972 Dorothy Balliet founded the Columbia County Activity Center (what is now known as Northwoods, Inc.), and Patsy became a Charter member.  She remained a client there for 25 years, until 1997.  During those years she also participated in Special Olympics in the frisbee and bowling tournaments.  She was chosen as Employee of the Month in February 1997, and received several certificates of achievement.  She worked with a group that cleaned the rest areas on I90-94, and she also worked assembling parts for Penda and other companies.  In 1988 she traveled with her parents to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO for her niece’s graduation from the Academy.  She also traveled to Tucson, AZ, and North and South Dakota with her brother Bernie and sister-in-law, Marlene in their motor home. 

Patsy is survived by her sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Carrington, Portage; her brothers, Donald (Mary) Schwanz, Portage, Bernard (Marlene) Schwanz, Wisconsin Dells, and Kenneth (Mary) Schwanz, Portage; nieces, Linda Gray, Teresa Hill, Donna Jones, Dianna Shebal, Dana Vesley, Debbie Stenberg, Diane Brandt, and Jenny Marrs; nephews, Russell Carrington, Richard and David Mackie, Richard and Joey Schwanz, Michael, Steven, and Jeff Schwanz; step-niece, Arlin Sipes, and her step-son, John Burchardt; and a very, very, close friend, Judy Bump, many nieces, grand nieces, nephews, and grand nephews, as well as those through marriage.    Patsy was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Mary Ann Mackie, two nephews, Donald Schwanz, and Gary Mackie, a brother-in-law, Warren Mackie, and a sister-in-law, Mary Jean Schwanz .

Patsy was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and has given joy for many years to her family, and to all who have crossed her path in life.  She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.  Her family wishes to thank Dr. Brenda Blohm, all the staff at Divine Savior Extended Care, and Southern Care Hospice, Inc., to Pastors, Alan Boeck, Jeffrey Teeple, and Hospice Chaplain, Thomas Moe, for all their loving care and compassion, not only to Patsy, but also to our family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, National Down’s Syndrome Society, 666 Broadway 8th Floor, New York, NY 10012, or Special Olympics.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Portage, with the Rev. Alan Boeck officiating.  Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Sunday from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service at the church.
The Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.

 

 

Obituaries
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