Patricia "Pat" Church

     Patricia “Pat” L. Church, 73, of Sparta, passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse. She was born on November 10, 1946 to Richard and Gracie (Arnold) Preston, in Sparta.

     Pat moved to Sparta her senior year of high school. She married James Church on September 25, 1965 in Sparta. Pat worked as a hairdresser in Sparta with Liz Karbula and Bangor where she worked with good friend Jane Knutson at The Peacock. She worked at Northern Engraving for many years before finishing her working career at Highlight Inc.

     Pat enjoyed watching MASH and the Wizard of Oz. She also enjoyed going to Pete and Diane’s on Thursday’s; and going on shopping adventures with her sister. She made the world’s best pumpkin bars and cut out cookies. When she was able, Pat was very involved with her church St. John’s Episcopal in Sparta. Above all, she loved spending time with her grandchildren, grandnieces and grandnephews.

    Pat is survived by her two sons, Jim (Erika McTaggart) Church, of Sparta and John (Kelly) Church, of Wapun; five grandchildren, Nickolas, Kaylie, Ethan, Josie, and Riley; her sister, Melody “Mel” (Dobie) Brueggeman, of Sparta, step-mother, Eldora Preston, of Sparta; and a brother-in-law, Joe Ybarra, of Pewaukee. She is further survived by many relatives, friends, and adopted grandchildren.

     She was preceded in death by her husband, James; parents, Richard and Gracie; two sisters, Judy Moak and Mary Ybarra; and a brother, David Preston.

     A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 30, at the Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, with Father Peter Augustine officiating. Interment will follow in Leon Cemetery, Leon.

     Family and friends are invited to call from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday and from 10-11 a.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be offered to the Church family at www.schanhoferfh.com

    The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.

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