Obituary
Patricia Ann Pedretti (Freng)
Patricia was born to LaVern and Effie Freng (Breiwick) on Oct. 5, 1950.
Patricia (Patti) and her husband Patrick of 20+ years lived in Holmen. They were married May 24, 2003. Patti worked several places starting at La Crosse Footwear in 1969. She left there in ‘81 with health issues. She worked with Home Health Care through both hospitals, mainly supporting diabetics. In 1995 she went to work at Northern Engraving in West Salem. Health eliminated that job. She went part-time with O Freng Construction and Black River Flooring Co until the both retired or shut down. At that time, she took early retirement.
She and Patrick enjoyed ball games — Go Bucks & Brewers! — gardening, and hunting on the farm in Blair. Canning Venison was a favorite. Canning garden goods so we had special memories in winter was important to them both. Jams and Jellies and Lefse
-making were a lifelong passion, although her Sister-in-law Sandy is still the Queen. Craft shows in younger years were special. Her booth was full with God-given gifts of the outdoors. All of the berries, honey, and wreath boughs were grown in her back yard. Weeds and bouquet fillers from her mother and dad’s field. Comb honey she packaged as well. Local honey was gathered at her brother Jim’s farm until they were destroyed by bears — twice — and that ended the bees. Her family will cherish the special gifts she crafted along the way.
She loved life and sharing it with family. Gatherings were her favorite. The Erickson Picnic was the best in her eyes and she appreciated the love shared there each year.
Patti was preceded in death by her parents Effie & La Vern, two brothers Orlando (Fred) and Steven; two brothers-in-law Harold (Doc) Danielson & Ray Paisley. One great nephew Jacob Torgrud and stepdaughter Susan Platter. Patrick’s family: Brothers-in-law Carl, Frank and Don Pedretti and Sisters-in-law Therese Fitzpatrick, Donna, Marge, Therese, and Sister Therese Marie Pedretti.
Patti is survived by her husband Patrick. Son Charles Klinkenberg (Joann). Two grandchildren Bo and Caiohme. Three sisters Bonnie Paisley, Mary (Sid) Welda, Joan Danielson. Three brothers Larry (Luana) Freng, David (Bernice) Freng, James (Sandy) Freng. Six Stepchildren Tim, Bridget (Bob), Patrick Jr., Victoria (Brian), Tony (Alice), Anna (Rafael). Eleven step grandchildren and four step great-grandchildren. Many (twenty seven) nieces and nephews. Patrick’s sister Ruth (Herb) Kiefer.
A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, June 29th, 2023 at 11:00 am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Holmen. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the mass. Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Reception will follow interment at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason St., Onalaska.
The family would like to thank Coulee Region Cremation Group and Mayo Clinic hospice for their support.
Dance with the Angels Patty
I will miss you so much you were my rock when I lost Fred and a very good friend to me.
I will always remember our trips together and it won’t be the same without you.
Understood
I am so sorry to aunt Patty’s immediate family in her passing. Knowing her strong faith in GOD and life everlasting gives me comfort in knowing that she was welcomed with love and with all of those we miss and love that have passed before us.
I have many awesome childhood memories with her.
She was such a hard worker and knew how to have fun too!
We will all miss the woman that was fun, loud home cheerleader for GB Packer loving, lefse baking Norwegian. finger tapping to gain attention, loyal friend, lover of teaching and sharing, wife, mom, sister, aunt, grandma, neighbor and human she was. ❤️ ?
My heartfelt condolences to Patty Ann’s immediate family. While there is no doubt she was an extremely hard worker as is evidenced in her work, history, etc. her work did not actually captured the essence of who she was to us.
From Avon to macramé. From Lefse to Laughlin. … Patty Ann dabbled in so many things. I remember most fondly, the background giggle in her voice when she would speak to me. This woman with her heart of gold made a birthday cake from scratch, wrapped it up in tinfoil and stuffed it into her luggage on one of our trips to Nevada. She was so excited to show me the cake that she made. So that no one should dare starve, she packed up some of her famous ham sandwiches, and shared them with us on our voyage.
I loved her to death for her superstitious ways, and her magic that she bestowed on the slot machines. More importantly, I loved her for the way that she could read the room. She had a big personality, but she was careful for the small voices as well. She was a great friend to both of my parents. I hope that people can share more about who she really was to them, because she really was something else….
I truly will cherish my trips to WI with aunt Patty Ann. I’ve gained a greater understanding of my heritage by learning to patiently rosemal, the timely process of making lefse, looking through trinkets and reading Norwegian phrases to her, which she got a kick out of! The family reunions were wonderful and filled with happiness. Our shopping trips were fun and supposed to be a secret to uncle Pat, but he always knew what we were up to. I wish she could have met my babies and my spouse they would have loved her so!
I will miss Aunt Pat so much. She was such a special aunt to me. She hosted our wedding at her previous home 13 years ago and grew a field of sunflowers for us in preparation for the ceremony and arranged most of the food at our reception (and peeling the potatoes my dad grew, alongside other guests). She taught me to rosemal; taught me to make sandbakkels, lefse, and krumkakke; and she encouraged me to trap a swarm of honeybees that came to my backyard (especially when I told her that I felt my dad’s presence in them). She lived through so much life (the good and bad), was one of the hardest workers ever, was fiercely loyal and giving to her family, and has touched many people’s lives because of who she was. I will miss our sporadic phone calls that lasted into the wee hours. When I see Avon, I think of her. When I see sunflowers I think of her. When I see the moon I think of the song she sang to baby Bowman in her cute voice when we came to visit in my childhood (“Mr. Moon, you shine so bright. And in the night you bring us light. Mr. Moon, I love you.”) I love you Aunt Pat.
Patrick and family we are very sorry for your loss.
Mike and Linda McHugh
Very sorry to hear about your mom! The only good thing is she now resting peacefully! And there is no pain for her or others waiting for the days end. Now is time to remember all the good times & fun you all had together. She was a grand lady and that’s how she would want to be remembered!
Dear Opa / Patrick and family, It was a shock to hear about Patti’s death! We have warm memories about our gatherings and the joyful trips we made all together, with Susan and our children, to places in the Netherlands and to Paris (together with Anna). We wish you strength and warm support to deal with this loss.
Warm greetings, Gerard Platter & Nathalie, Daniel, Rogier & family
We’re so sorry to read of Pat’s passing. Condolences to her entire family.
Pat and Ken Komperud
I will miss you so much Aunt Patty Ann I love you and I’m sorry I couldn’t make it but I will remember you for life, with our shopping trips, the sleepovers, the hours and hours we spent sewing, the hours of cooking, and all of the hours sitting in the garage talking and skinning dear. You were tough the toughest. I’m glad you were my Aunt, you deserve the best Aunt Pat. I love you-Hope Freng
Very sorry to hear about your mom! The only good thing is she now resting peacefully! And there is no pain for her or others waiting for the days end. Now is time to remember all the good times & fun you all had together. She was a grand lady and that’s how she would want to be remembered!