It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beautiful mother Patricia Ann Rathmann (Nee Terpstra).

She grew up on Kimberly Avenue in the Town of Lake, she called this home her Little House on the Prairie. She recalled so many memories growing up there. Sitting on the fender of her dad's tractor while he tilled up their huge garden, her pet duck who she made a home for, cleaning it's webbed feet but would eventually learn that it became dinner. Her moms homemade bread and jam that she would eat on the porch.They also had a dog Blackie. With her two sisters Jean and Arline she would play cutouts and elevator in one of the closets. Later they would move closer to the high school which was Pulaski. This is where my mom would meet my dad. It was during their senior year in drama class where they would meet. After high school my mom worked for Briggs and Stratton, and also the Heil company where she took care of insurance for the workers. She loved this position because she was such a people person. My mom and dad would marry January 28, 1956. They would live there till my dad graduated from UWMadison. They then would travel due to my dad being in the air force. This is where they had 2 of their children. Debbie would be born in Tucson Arizona and John would be born in Duluth Minnesota. Their son Paul would come 18 years later, mom thinking she maybe was in her changes. What a wonderful change! When my mom told my dad he was in shock because he didn't answer right a way. When my dad left the air force they settled in Milwaukee on Wanda Avenue. They had many happy memories there. My mom sold her life insurance policy and bought a camper which took us all over the U.S. She sang for 25 years on the St. Stephens choir and also served communion till her Multiple sclerosis took over. She would help with making donuts, clean in the church, and church picnics would find her in the kitchen with the other helpers. She also helped decorate the church for christmas. Later she would help at Martin Luther High Schools rummage sales. My mom was known for playing pranks especially on April Fools day. She loved water balloon fights and would always come up with something fun for her parties. During her life she battled breast cancer, a thyroid condition, multiple sclerosis,and eventually a stroke and colon cancer. It was during my dad's illness that her granddaughter Morgen took care of my mom and dad with first her daughter Izzy along and then later would bring her twins Lizzy and Lexy. Which would be the delight of my parents. But through most of her life she had a wonderful outlook. If there was a way, she'd do it! She was an amazing mom and she will be forever missed by her children Deborah (Richard) Krebs, John (the late Diana) and Paul (Debbie) and her 10 grandchildren and 9 greatgrandchildren. Also her two sisters, nieces and nephews.

Memorial Gathering Saturday, May 4th, 2024 at THE FUNERAL HOME from 10AM to 1PM. Memorial Service to follow, at 1PM.