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Patricia Ann "Patsy" Van Wormer Obituary

Brought to you by Ritchay Funeral Home

Patricia Ann "Patsy" Van Wormer

Wisconsin Rapids , WI

October 31, 1935 - May 15, 2022

Patricia Ann "Patsy" Van Wormer Obituary

A dearly and deeply loved woman, Patricia Ann “Patsy” Van Wormer (Terhune), age 86, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at Hilltop Assisted Living following a truly beautiful and full life. The family will greet relatives and friends at Ritchay Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids on Thursday, May 19, 2022, from 10am-12pm. Private graveside services for the immediate family will be at Babcock Cemetery; she will be laid to rest next to the love of her life. Patsy was born October 31, 1935, in Cleveland Ohio to Arthur and Myra “Happy” Terhune. She married David Van Wormer on April 5, 1958. Patsy graduated from Waupaca High School in 1953 and went on obtain her Bachelor of Science at UW Stevens Point, obtaining her Masters in 1979. She was a teacher for 37 years, with 34 years at Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids, where she was an English teacher and developed the MAC Lab and was a reading specialist. She was the reading coordinator for the peer tutoring program. She received the Award of Excellence High School Teacher of the Year in 1984, and the 1991 Achievement Award from the Herb Kohl Education Foundation. Patsy loved her husband, David, or as she called him “Lonesome”, and her three children. They enjoyed all their years together, spending time fishing, vacationing in the Northwoods and Venice/Boca Grande, FL, reading and doing crossword puzzles. She loved horses from a young age and was able to have a few in her lifetime, spending much time teaching her grandkids how to “shovel manure.” She enjoyed gardening or as she called it “digging in the dirt”, sitting in the sun reading, and teaching. She had a passion for bird watching and also genealogy, spending years researching her family tree. Patsy is survived by her three children, Valerie Van Wormer of Temple, TX, Jay Van Wormer (Mel) of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, and Vicki Schmeling of Kimberly, WI; nine grandchildren, Layton, Landon, Logan and Layna Hoelscher, Andy, Collin and Jordan Van Wormer, Joey and Evan Schmeling; three great grandchildren, Jade, Hayden and Kade Van Wormer; and her brother, Terry Terhune. Patsy is reunited with her parents, Arthur and Myra Terhune; her husband and soulmate, David Van Wormer; and her sister, Yvonne Pinkerton. We all love you Patsy…may your next adventure in the afterlife be with Pop right next to you. See you on the other side. The family would like to thank the staff at Hilltop Grand Village for taking such good care of Patsy the last year, where she became known for cruising the hallways with her walker, (Patsy was very proud to be called “The Walker”), and especially the last few weeks when she became ill, and Compassus Hospice.

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Patricia Ann "Patsy" Van Wormer hosted by Ritchay Funeral Home.

Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Patricia Ann "Patsy" Van Wormer.