Patricia “Pat” Rochelt, 75, a retired English instructor at Western Technical College in La Crosse, whose joy for learning, enthusiasm for the arts and passion for travel defined her life, passed away May 29 at her home with her children by her side.

She was born on December 13, 1935 to Forey Wampler and Virginia (Whitney-Wampler) Krueger. She married Laine S. “Rocky” Rochelt on November 5, 1960 and later divorced.

 

Pat was raised and lived in La Crosse her entire life.  She very much enjoyed recalling the warmth and camaraderie of growing up in her close-knit downtown neighborhood.  Throughout her life, she valued building strong relationships with friends and family.  She was a firm believer that it was the right way to live.

 

After graduating from Central High School in La Crosse, she worked at Trane Company, married and then embarked on a quest to earn her bachelor’s degree in English and Master’s degree in Professional Development from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.  At the time, a very big dream for a young woman with three children but, as a true believer in the virtue of independence, she did just that.

 

Inspiring and creative, Pat spent nearly 29 years teaching English and speech at Western Technical College.  Her passion for students and education provided the power for her lifelong pursuit of knowledge.  Pat was often quoted as saying “My career as a teacher was more fun than it was a job.”

 

Throughout her life, Pat had an inspiring flair for fashion, influenced by her dear friend and aunt, Velma, with whom she spent her childhood summers in Galena, Illinois.  Over the years, she built an impressive collection of apparel.  Another collection dear to Pat’s heart, was her unrivaled selection of cookbooks.  A true-blue chef at heart, Pat was famous for unconventional culinary creations.

 

Upon retirement in 2000, Pat embarked on a journey that would take her around the globe, visiting 23 countries in just ten years.  She filled her home with unique items from her travels, including art and a variety of rocks she “borrowed” from attractions in her favorite countries, especially Egypt. 

 

Also in retirement, she dedicated much of her time learning the game of golf, nurturing her mind, body and soul with friends at Yoga classes, tending to her beautiful backyard garden and enjoying international arts and films.  She could be seen frequenting her favorite coffee shops, passing the time with good conversation—routinely recanting the day’s political happenings.  An avid e-mailer, she was known to communicate, at great length, with friends and relatives from around the corner to distant shores.

 

Pat possessed an unwavering curiosity of her genealogy.  She spent hundreds of hours uncovering the mysteries of the family tree, completing a documented history that led back as far as the fifteenth century.

 

She particularly loved the music of Beethoven, The Eagles, Patsy Cline and the La Crosse Symphony; books by Mark Twain; the New York Times Crossword Puzzle; fishing; and chocolate malts.  But most important to Pat was her family, with whom she frequently shared the wit of her humor and the warmth of her smile.

 

 

Pat is survived by her three children, Linda (Tom) Loeffler, Karen (Patrick) Long, Richard (Tammie) Rochelt; three grandchildren, Shawn (Marie) Loeffler, John Brevik and Alex Brevik; a great grandchild, Heidi Loeffler; two brothers, Kent Wampler, Richard Wampler; four step grandchildren, Amanda Connor, Rachel Long, Sarah Long, Don Long; one nephew and many cousins and close friends.

 

She is preceded in death by her parents.

 

Pat will be greatly missed by her family, friends and the students with whom she shared her talent and passion for education.  She lived her life with astounding gusto, exemplified in a printed mantra which hung on her refrigerator door:

 

“Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Wow! What a ride!'”

 

A Celebration of Pat’s life will be held at Pettibone Resort 333 Park Plaza Dr. La Crosse WI on Thursday June 9^th 4-7pm. Celebrate Pat’s life with us by bringing special memories, pictures or stories to share. Coulee Region Cremation Group at www.couleecremation.com is assisting the family.