Patricia Mae Wilson

June 10, 1929 - March 31, 2020

Patricia M. Wilson (née Hoeffs) Patricia M. (Pat) Wilson joined her Lord and Savior on March 31, 2020, after a long struggle with the debilitating effects of dementia.  Pat was born in Laona, Wisconsin on June 10, 1929, to John and Lillian (Gilligan) Hoeffs.  On November 12, 1949, she married the love of her life, Edgar “Bug” Wilson, and lived in Laona for the next 10 years.  In 1960, Pat and Bug (then the undersheriff) moved to Crandon to run the Forest County Jail. Pat became the matron for female prisoners, the head cook, dishwasher, and mother to a nine year old and new baby. When Bug was elected Sheriff, they remained at the jail for the next four years.  Even with all of these many roles, Pat managed to finish her training at Langlade County Teachers College. As stressful and hectic as daily life in the jail was, Pat always looked back on that time as the happiest and most fulfilling times of their lives together. Shortly after finishing at Langlade County Teachers College, Pat was fortunate to find a long term substitute position with the Crandon School District.  The following year she was hired full time to teach Fourth Grade and, following in the footsteps of her mother and sister as teachers, she taught fourth grade for the next 27 years, retiring in 1992. John’s wife, Marilyn, said that Pat’s purpose on earth was “to care for the men in her life.”  When grandchildren arrived, that purpose expanded to include them, also.  No spouse, child or grandchild had anyone love or care for them more than Pat cared for hers and as daughters-in-law appeared it included them also.  Other amazing qualities Pat shared with family members was her ability to listen to issues and concerns, offer clarity and suggestions and make one feel as if a weight had been lifted from them when the conversation ended.  Her finest quality was her amazing sense of humor.  Pat enjoyed nothing more than getting together with family, friends and co-workers, telling stories, laughing...and there was never a more infectious laugh than hers.  Even in the depths of dementia, she maintained her wonderful sense of humor and her laugh.  In fact, another resident claimed Pat was her “Laugh Partner”. In her retirement years Pat enjoyed their cottage on Lake Metonga, her friends in Crandon and Laona and being with and watching her grandchildren grow into adulthood.  She also cared for her husband, Bug, and sister, Sal, through terminal illnesses. Pat was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her sister.  She is survived by two sons, John (Marilyn) of Green Bay and Jeff (Mary Jo) of Eau Claire, six grandchildren and six great grandchildren, John (Erin) of Madison and their children, Jack and Gabe. Briana Delgado and special friend Eric, her son Ayden. Jake (Dana) their sons Ben, Logan and Wyatt.  Melissa. Josh and special friend Jenna. Jordan and special friend Kaci. For the past six and one-half years Pat has been a resident of Grace Woodlands in Eau Claire.  Jeff and his family have been a tremendous support for her during her time there. A private Funeral ceremony will be held at St. Leonard’s Catholic Church in Laona with internment in the Laona Cemetery. Weber-Hill Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.weberhillfuneralhome.com