Patricia Mather passed away peacefully on Thanksgiving morning, November 23, 2017 at the Bethany Nursing Home in Waupaca, Wisconsin.
Pat was born in Richfield, Wisconsin on January 7, 1934 to her parents, Selda and Raymond Lenhart. Sadly, her father died while she was an infant. Her grandparents, Fred and Lena Matz, provided a home and support for her and her mom during many of her early years. Pat attended several schools around Wisconsin during her childhood with her mother who was an elementary teacher. She graduated from Wautoma High School in 1951 and continued at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, graduating in 1955 with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. While at college at UWM, she married a fellow student, Douglas Hall. During their years together they had three children: Scott, Pamela, and Steven. They adopted one more child, Brenda. Pat spent twenty years moving and establishing households in response to her husband’s career. The Halls lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Athens, Ohio; Omaha, Nebraska; Long Meadow, Massachusetts; Stevens Point, Wisconsin and Libertyville, Illinois. After the Halls parted, Pat married Robert Mather in 1979 and moved to Waupaca, Wisconsin and a more stable life. Pat’s work career was in the travel industry, beginning in Illinois. She was eventually a co-owner of Passport Travel in downtown Waupaca. This was the source of many cherished friendships and worldwide travel experiences. Following her years in travel, Pat spent many hours as a community volunteer. Jobs ranged from the coffee shop at the Wisconsin Veteran’s Home at King to Meals on Wheels and the Waupaca Food Pantry. Pat greatly enjoyed time with family, coffee with friends, book groups and outdoor activities. She loved walking and meditating at Brainerd’s Bridge Park and Hartman’s Creek State Park watching wildlife and the changing seasons.
Pat is survived by her children: Scott (Jane) Hall, Steve (Renee) Hall, and Brenda Kopf; grandsons, Luke and Sawyer Hall; step-family Amy, Joe, Elizabeth and Peter Eklund; and also Dr. Jim and Melodi Duwell family. Pat was preceded in death by her husband Bob, daughter Pam and son-in-law Toby Kopf.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday December 2, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca Wisconsin followed by burial at Lakeside Memorial Park. A visitation will be held Saturday at the funeral from 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Pat and her family would like to give special thanks to all of the many dear friends and family who visited her and kept her laughing and her spirit alive during her last months. Thanks also to the caring staff at Theda Care at Home Hospice and Bethany Nursing Home. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established to support Hartman Creek State Park or The Humane Society of Waupaca.