Patricia E. Winchel, 71, of rural Hillsboro passed away Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, at St. Joseph’s Memorial Hospital in Hillsboro, after a short battle with liver cancer.
She was born Oct. 18, 1941, in Beloit, Wis., to Henry “Hank” and Maurine (Scott) Rollins. She spent her early years going to different one-room schools; she also attended Kendall High School. On July 12, 1956, Patricia was united in marriage to Harold C. Winchel in Decorah, Iowa. They spent most of their married life living in Vernon County, Wisconsin, Township of Forest, over 45 years at the farm where they made their home. They had over 56 good years together and they raised eight children.
Patricia was a CNA for more than 30 years, working for St. Joseph’s Nursing Home, Heritage Manor and Home Health. She enjoyed flowers, mushrooming, auctions, garage sales, eating out and listening to country western music. Mostly her life revolved around her family. She was a good cook and an excellent baker of pies and cookies. She was a good wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. In her retirement years, she traveled and hauled her Amish friends.
Survivors include her husband, Harold; seven children, Kevin (Melody) Winchel of Hillsboro, Steven (Rita) Winchel of La Farge, Larry (Geneva) Winchel of San Antonio, Texas, Peggy Winchel (friend Ronnie Nevsimal) of Elroy, Maureen (John) Miller of Hampton, Va., Casey (Emeliza) Winchel of La Farge and Anthony (Brenda) Winchel of Hillsboro; 20 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a brother, Dale Rollins of Dalhart, Texas; three sisters, Elizabeth “Betty” Juno of Madison, JoAnn (Dick) Walter of La Farge and Jackie (Karsten) Berge of Blue Mounds, Wis.; two sisters-in-law, Mary (Jim) Parkhurst of Elroy and Myrtle (Ben) Melvin of La Farge; and a brother-in-law, Frank Winchel of Elroy. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Jamie Winchel; and a grandson, John Clyde Winchel.
Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at Burr Wesleyan Church, rural Hillsboro, with Rev. Alan Tripp officiating. Burial was in the Forest-Burr Cemetery. The Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro assisted the family with arrangements. For online information, go to www.pichafuneralhomes.com.
She was a special lady with a generous and caring heart; may she rest in peace.
