Patricia (Eischeid) Wessels

Patricia Ann (Eischeid) Wessels, 78, of La Crescent, Minn., formerly of Onalaska, Wis., passed away Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018, surrounded by her family. 

She was born Sept. 4, 1939 in Orange City, Iowa, to Everett “Eb” and Margaret Jean (Dunlop) Eischeid. 

She was raised in Independence, Iowa and was a 1957 graduate of Fayette High School. 

Following graduation, she attended St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, then she completed her nursing degree at Upper Iowa University in Fayette.

She married and later divorced, James W. Wessels. Together they had three children, Jeff, Elizabeth and Eric. 

Patricia worked as a nurse in Iowa for a several years before moving to Racine, Wis., where she became a professor at St Luke’s School of Nursing. During this time, she also attended Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wis., earning her master’s degree in nursing. 

In 1977, she and her family moved to Onalaska, Wis. Pat worked at Western Wisconsin Technical College for a year before joining the Viterbo University staff as a professor of nursing. She also served as the assistant dean and interim dean of Viterbo’s School of Nursing.

While Pat’s pathophysiology class was notoriously rigorous, her support and encouragement never ended. She enjoyed the classroom environment but was happiest and most fulfilled teaching students in the hospital. Pat’s students appreciated her knowledge of the field, her high standards, and her genuine interest in their development as nurses and human beings. She ensured graduates were competent and compassionate professionals. To Pat, nursing was not a job, but a lifelong passion. She truly treasured her years at Viterbo. 

After 35 years as a nurse educator, Pat retired, enjoying time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, reading, and her dog, Patches.

Survivors include her son, Jeff (Dawn) Wessels; her daughter, Elizabeth (Steven) Golden; her son, Eric Wessels; four grandchildren, Gus (Hannah) Wessels, Travis Wessels, Noah Golden and Olivia Golden; three great-grandchildren, Lylah, Henry, and Maybel Wessels; one brother, Michael (Joy) Eischeid of West Union; one sister, Margaret (Robert) Reinert; four nieces, Jennifer Williams, Julie (David) Creery, Lynn (Brian) Waldera, Kate (Anthony) Pithan; one nephew, Scott (Catherine) Reinert; her treasured students; and her esteemed colleagues from Viterbo University both past and present. 

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, Eb and Jean Eischeid; many family members; cherished friends; and her faithful companion, her dog, Patches. 

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, at the Presbyterian Church of West Salem, 625 W. Franklin St. (right behind Hansen's IGA), West Salem, Wis. The Rev. Stephanie M. Steiner will officiate. 

A visitation gathering will be held from 1 p.m. until the time of service Saturday at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be donated to the Wendy M. (Wegner) Storandt Nursing Scholarship, a memorial scholarship for Viterbo nursing students.

Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Woodruff Chapel, La Crosse, Wis., is in charge of arrangements. 

Online condolences may be sent to www.jandtfredrickson.com.