Patricia M. “Pat” Ashley

PORTAGE --  Patricia M. “Pat” Ashley, age 78, of Portage, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 5, 2016 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, surrounded by her loving family.

Pat was born and raised in Portage, Wisconsin, the daughter of Robert and Alice (Dupless) Grotzke.  She graduated from Portage High School.  Pat was married on April 20, 1968 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Portage to Charles “Junie” Ashley, Jr.  He preceded her in death in March of 1991.  She began her employment with Wisconsin Power and Light in 1956;  took time off to raise her children, and returned to work in 1983, eventually retiring in 1994.  She worked for St. Mary Catholic Church for 10 years, retiring in 2012.  Pat enjoyed spending time with her dog, Cody,  doing yard work, going to Brewers games, watching the Packers, going to craft fairs, and doing puzzles.  Celebrating family holiday traditions during the holidays, including making homemade ice cream, were very important to Pat.  When she was younger, Pat bowled for many years in leagues.  In her later years, she enjoyed volunteering for St. Mary Catholic Church. 

She is survived by her children, Brian (April) Ashley, Portage, and Karen Ashley, Portage;  three grandsons, Brock, Mason, and Sawyer;  two brothers, Ken (Linda) Grotzke, Janesville, and Richard (Linda) Grotzke, North Carolina;  other relatives and many friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Charles “Junie”, her brother, Wally (Frances) Grotzke, and her sister-in-law, Marge Ashley.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 9, 2016 at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Portage, with Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl presiding.  Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 8, 2016 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, and from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Friday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, Portage.