Obituary: Patricia Ann “Pat” Schneider

Patricia Ann “Pat” Schneider, age 80, of Whitelaw, died on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at Bellin Memorial Hospital in Green Bay following a series of medical conditions. She was born March 16, 1941, daughter of the late Randolph and Florence (Binsfeld) Propson.

Pat was a 1959 graduate of Wrightstown High School after which she worked in the office at the Brillion Coop where she met her husband, James (Jim) Schneider. Jim and Pat were married on May 16, 1962 on a day that was so hot that the asphalt pavement melted onto her wedding dress. From the time they were married until 1974, Pat was an active farmer working every day with Jim on the Schneider family farm located on Center Road in Brillion. In 1974, the young couple moved to a farm they purchased at Reifs Mills in Manitowoc County where they still lived. Through good times and bad, Pat and Jim ran the farm, raised their two sons, participated in community service in the Town of Franklin, with Patricia being the town assessor for a number of years, as well as having been assessor in the Town of Brillion prior to 1974.

Pat purchased her father’s small bulk milk tank and for many years ran her own small dairy operation, milking her own herd of dairy cattle and raising feeder pigs. She truly loved farm life.

Pat recently belonged to St. Ann Catholic Community in Francis Creek and was a long time active member of St. Augustine Mission in Kossuth until the church closed. She was a rosary leader, a member of the Christian Mothers Society at St. Mary Parish in Brillion, and was a devout Catholic. From 1994 to 2007, she helped her son, Stu, operate the Squirrel Cage in Kellnersville where she met many friends in the Kellnersville and broader community.

Pat enjoyed frequent trips to local casinos, a few trips out west to Laughlin and Vegas with her family, but was mostly recognized as a phenomenal cook, a faithful wife, and an extraordinary mom. She was always adding one more dish for a family gathering and always had many pans of dessert bars ready at any time for family and friends. Her regimen for Christmas candies and cookies created so many treats that they couldn’t all be eaten and were shared with the entire family.

Her children are grateful that she always challenged them to work hard every minute of the day; to study hard, whether high school, college or in their work careers and perhaps her greatest legacy is that success which she nurtured in her children and grandchildren, always encouraging them.

Her culinary skills were put to the test frequently as she hosted farm workers, deer hunters, college parties and everything in between. And after everyone was fed, she loved a good Sheepshead game. Her Sheepshead skills at local tournaments qualified her for the Wisconsin State Sheepshead Tournament on several occasions.

Pat is survived by her husband of almost 60 years, her children Steven (Kaye) Schneider and Stuart (Lucia) Schneider and grandchildren Rachel, Michael, Maria and Gabriella Schneider.

She is further survived by her siblings Ronald (Joanne) Propson, Vernon (Mary) Propson, and Theresa (Richard) Robach, along with in-laws Joseph Loderbauer, Janice Propson, Roger and Bette Schneider, Nancy Schneider and Mary Rose Schneider as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

Pat was preceded in death by her siblings Donna Mae Loderbauer, Carol Propson and Leon Propson as well as in-laws Jeanette (Leo) Pritzl, Clemons (Mary) Schneider, and Kenneth Schneider.

A Mass of Christian burial is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 18, 2022 at Holy Family Church (1100 West Ryan Street) in Brillion. Friends and family may call at Reinbold and Pfeffer Family Funeral Home, 1124 Main Street in Kellnersville, Wisconsin from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 17, 2022 and again on Friday at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11:00 a.m. A committal service will take place at Holy Family Cemetery in Brillion immediately following the funeral.

Patricia’s sons and family express their sincere gratitude to their father and grandfather for taking such good care of mom and grandma as she declined and always making sure that she returned home from stints in the hospital and rehab facilities, got out of the house every day, and maintained her independence. We also thank Father Seamus Neilson for always being with our family – in good times and bad – including in Pat’s final hours on earth and in her funeral arrangements. We further thank the staff at Bellin Hospital, the Kellnersville first responders and Valders Ambulance, as well as the staff at Shady Lane Skilled Nursing and the staff at Rennes Assisted Living for their care and patience.

A memorial fund has been established in Pat’s name for a scholarship at St. Norbert College, the alma mater of her sons, daughter-in-law and two of her grandchildren.