Obituary
Patricia Ann Secor
My Mom, Pat “Monga” (Patricia Gartner) Secor, 78, passed away on October 27, 2021 at Gundersen Health System after a brief illness.
She was born on October 16, 1943 to Clarence and Iva Gartner. Mom was child number three of ten. Mom graduated from Onalaska High School in 1962 and shortly after married the one and only love of her life, my Dad, Bruce Secor. The following year I came into their life and in 1966 my brother Bruce Jr was born.
Mom worked for the School District of Onalaska in the lunch program with most of her 39 years as the ala carte’ lady. She worked at Irving Pertzsch, the high school and most recent the middle school. She was always an advocate for those that didn’t have enough money. She would take money out of her own pocket to pay for their lunch. She was often seen at the high school doing the catering for the show choir performances too.
Mom was a hard worker. She, like Dad, instilled that into me. I remember odd jobs she would do, cleaning apartments and worked at a local motel during her summers off.
Mom was a social person. She would visit nursing homes and talk to residents she didn’t even know! She would strike up a conversation with anyone in a store, restaurant, or a passerby. This often embarrassed my brother and me. Thank you, Mom, for passing that on to me. She would also meet her friends at Coney Island and Culvers for a lot of conversation.
She enjoyed her Saturday visits with her sisters, Rita and Vicki and Virgil too.
Mom liked to crochet, knit, sew, and bake. She could whip up a baby afghan in an afternoon. She baked cakes, cookies, breads, and pies. I remember Sunday dinners of roast, gravy, mashed potatoes, and carrots. She would always have a yummy lunch ready for me when I stopped during the week.
Mom was greeted in heaven by my Dad and my brother along with her parents, and siblings, Charles, Sandra, Donna and Dennis. Brother and sister in laws too, Robert, Melva (Pork), Bonnie, Harlan, Marge.
Her surviving family includes myself, Tamie (Charlie) Batzel. Grandsons, Chad (Melissa) Hasz and Jeremy (Arielle Konze) Hasz. Great grandchildren Addison, Emmett, Kinslee and Brooks. Sisters, Vicki (Virgil) Skinner, Rita Gartner, Becky (Bob) Doucet, Dawn (Greg) Holhfeld. One brother Terry Gartner. Many nieces and nephews. There are a few special nieces and nephews she was close to and each of you know who you are. Also, a sister in law Sherry Rhomberg and brother in law John Secor. Step grandsons Nathan, Matt, Ryan and Dylan Batzel and their families.
Mom had a strong faith in God and believed in the power of prayer. Her bible always on her chair side table.
Mom did not want a funeral. We will be celebrate her on Sunday, November 28th at the West Salem American Legion. Noon to 3pm. We will be having Hunters pizza as that was one of her favorites. Mom’s favorite colors were red and pink. Please feel free to wear one of them when you come to celebrate her. Come and share your stories and pictures of her.
“Mom, you were there for my first breath and I was there for your last breath”
Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family.
Tamie I am so sorry for your loss. Your Mom sounded like a amazing women. I have been thinking about you since I seen you at the clinic. Hugs to you and your family.
So sorry for your loss. I knew Pat from working in the Onalaska School District. She always had a smile and a laugh – – I smile when I think of her. May your great memories give you comfort. With deepest sympathy.
Tamie,
We are sorry for your loss.
Your mom, dad and brother were wonderful people.
I have many good memories when I was a young kid and more as an adult.
Our deepest sympathy.
So sorry for your loss of your mo.! Aunt pat was an amazing woman and I was blessed to have shared her life with her ❤ I know how much she missed ur dad and they are together again! The angels are singing again! Hugs Tammy and the rest of family may she rest in peace
I am so sorry for your loss, Tamie. Your mom was a wonderful person.
Tamie,
Very sorry to hear about your mom. I always enjoyed talking to her at OMS.
My heart goes out to you Tamie. Her laugh was contagious and I will never forget her morning talks we had while waiting for you to go to school. Prayers for you and your family. Much love.
So very sorry for your loss. Pat was more than a wonderful person, she was awesome in every way. She always put other people’s needs above her own.
Tamie what a precious Mom.
My memories go way,way back.
The most dedicated employee I ever had. She never said no to anything I asked of her.
I still hear that crazy giggle of hers. Just like a fart in a mitten!!!
I will miss her Christmas card this year. You are in my thoughts as is she.
God Bless Tamie,feel my hug.
So sorry!! May we all cherish the wonderful memories of your beautiful and fun mom!! She was my moms classmate and you and your family will always have a special place in my heart forever. ❤️❤️ Love you. ❤️❤️
My dad often talked of her as he was employed at onalaska high for 24 yrs…now they are together again may she rest in heavenly peace!
Sincerest condolences to you and your family. May she Rest In Peace. Ruth Ann Wurtz
Sorry for your loss Tamie. Always loved visiting with your mom.
Pat was a friendly face when I visited the a la carte while teaching at OHS. Her dry sense of humor and her patience with the horde of students was admirable. Condolences to her family.
I was a custodian at onalaska schools. Pat and I would talk about her faith in Jesus Christ. I know she’s with people that she witnessed to about her faith. May her life keep shining in the life of others she
Witnessed too
Tamie, our deepest condolences on the death of your Mom. Reading her obituary we see you are nearly a carbon copy of her…always finding the good in any situation. She lives on through you. May she Rest In Peace. (((HUGS)))
I am so sorry for your loss. Pat was an amazing woman that cared deeply for the students she served all those years in Onalaska. I will never forget her kindness to me when I started as the assistant director of food service in 1987 and then when I came back to Onalaska 20 years later as the director. It was like I had never left. Always a friend I could count on and one of the hardest workers I have ever been blessed to work with. I still wear my beautiful black knit scarf , that she gifted to me, during cold weather and I think of her every time I put it on. She was a dear friend. May she rest in peace. I hold her memories very close to my heart.
Tamie, your mom was the sweetest lady in the lunch room! Thoughts are with you at this difficult time
We are so sorry…it is harder than hard, to lose someone, we love……….Raye Erv….
We are so sorry…it is harder than hard, to lose someone, we love……….Raye Erv….
I will always remember Aunt Pat’s voice, but above all her laughter. I loved her visits to my grandparents, her brother Charles, when I was growing up.
Love you, Tamie.
Your Cousin,
Candi
So sorry to hear about your loss. Pat was a good egg. She could make one laugh. The world is a bit sadder with out her.
Very sorry to hear about your loss! Pat was a great lady and a sweetheart
Yours is a lovely tale of your Mom.
What a hoot, I hope all of us who worked with her remember her shenanigan’s as well as I do. She always went at top speed and had the next job lined up, great to work with.
We are all left so many good memories she will always be part of our lives.
Her family was her passion, her number one concern. I have been blessed to know her. God bless Tammie & family
I am sorry for the loss of your mother. I worked with her a few years at the middle school kitchen before she retired. She was such a dedicated and hard worker, always concerned for the students she served. May she enjoy the peace in heaven she deserves with loved ones for eternity.
I am very sorry for your loss. I served has Patty’s pastor for several years and I can attest to her sincere faith and love of Jesus. She was a consistent part of our church family and a kind hearted person. May God bless your family as you reflect on her life, a life well lived.
Hi tamie
It’s been along time but I loved pat she was always full of laughs and cries and she would
Always give me some of her cookies but don’t tell no one I know she could cook good I know I’ll miss talking with her
You take care for you are a sweet daughter and always been
Love u Connie Conner (Reekers)