Patricia “Patty” Joy Spraetz, of West Salem, Wis., passed away on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse at the age of 63.

Patty was born October 5, 1949, to LaVere and Joybelle (Dieckman) Schultz.  She married Ken Spraetz at Faith Lutheran Church in La Crosse, Wis., on June 18, 1977.  That day became even more special to her when both of her children married their spouses on that day.  Patty was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Mondovi, Wis., and has been a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in West Salem since 1979.  She attended Mondovi High School and continued her education at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education.  She also received her Master’s Degree from UW-L in Adaptive Physical Education.  Patty was a physical education teacher for 34 years.  She taught her first six years in Fort Atkinson, Wis., and the last 28 years in Holmen, Wis., until she retired in June of 2007.  She put her heart and soul into teaching and touched many lives along the way.  Patty was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and most of all a friend.  Every person that had ever known her shared their admiration for her caring and loving attitude for life.  She was always the unselfish individual that spent most of her life worrying and caring about everyone else.  She always brought sunshine to everything.  The most important treasure to Patty was her love for family.  She loved her dad, mom, brother, sister, husband, children, and grandchildren.  She was an inspiration to all of them with her courage and strength.  Her retirement, though short, was filled with many happy times.  She found joy in gardening, spending time with her dad, playing cards with friends, and playing with her grandchildren.  Patty loved reading and going on adventures with her husband.  She was so proud of her children and loved spending time with them.

Patty is survived by her loving husband of 36 years, Ken Spraetz; son, Andrew (Tessa) Spraetz of Apple Valley, Minn.; daughter, Amy (Scib) Ebel of Shakopee, Minn.; two grandchildren, Chas and Kenson Ebel; father, Lavere Schultz of Mondovi, Wis.; sister, Peggy (Bob) Steinke of Cambridge, Minn.; brother, Jim (Jane) Schultz of Mondovi, Wis.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Webb (Cathy) Spraetz, Sandra Zimmerman, and Doug (Janice) Spraetz; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives; and many dear friends.

Patty was preceded in death by her mother; grandparents; and brother-in-law, Terry Zimmerman.