Obit: Sumner, Patricia A. (1935 - 2004)

Contact: Stan  

Surnames: Sumner, Yates, Pettit, Schelble, Henderson, Zentgraff, Callaghan, McFarlane, Niehoff, Bach

----Sources: Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Eau Claire County, Wis.) 01/21/2004

Sumner, Patricia A. (14 Apr. 1935 - 17 Jan. 2004)

Patricia A. "Pat" (Pettit) Sumner, 68, of 215 No. Prairie St., Chippewa Falls, passed away peacefully Saturday, January 17, 2004, at Luther Hospital, Eau Claire surrounded by her loving family.

She was born April 14, 1935, to Joe and Della (Yates) Pettit in Owen, Wis. She graduated from Regis High School in 1953. She married Robert K. Sumner in 1959 at St. Mary’s Church in Stillwater, Minn.

She co-founded Serenity House in 1970, and was a counselor at the Chippewa County Council on Alcoholism. She was also one of the founders of the Teen Institute at UWEC.

She was also the first recipient of the Father Mike Schelble "Distinguished Service Award" in 1995.

She is survived by her "best friend" and husband, Robert; her seven children, Michelle Henderson of Colorado, Robert (Mary) of Zentgraff of Milwaukee, Shari (Cary) Callaghan of Chippewa Falls, Edward Sumner of Chippewa Falls, Richard (Tina) Sumner of Marquette, MI, Kathleen (Tom) McFarlane of Cloquet, Minn., and Joseph (Carla) Sumner of Eau Claire; three sisters, Eileen Niehoff and Liz (Al) Bach both of Milwaukee and Audre (Jack) Sumner of Eau Claire; six brothers, Steve (Carol) of Calif., Jim (Bev), Mike (Elaine), Tom (Diane) and Dan (Jane) all of Milwaukee and Mark Pettit of Phoenix, Ariz.; and 12 grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Joe Pettit.

Funeral services will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, January 20, 2004, at the Horan Funeral Home, Chippewa Falls. Friends may call from 3 p.m. until the time of services on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 at the Horan Funeral Home, Chippewa Falls.

In a long career of helping people she was greatly loved by family and friends.

The world loses a "Great Lady" who truly made a difference.

Her family will miss her great humor and love for all.

She wanted people to know "It’s been a Beautiful Life."