Patricia Mae Burkhamer

Patricia Mae Burkhamer was ushered into the presence of her lord on Saturday, December 14, one day after celebrating her 91st Birthday.

Patricia was born in Richland County, on December 13, 1933, the daughter of Roy and Dorthy (Farley) Shannon.  She attended a one room country school in Fox Hollow, and attended Richland Center High School and Richland County Teacher’s College.  

Upon graduation she taught first at Oxford School, a one room school in Richland County. Patricia enjoyed 39 years of teaching in various schools in Richland Center and then finished her career in Waterloo. Patricia had the pleasure of teaching a multitude of children reading, writing and math skills, the skills that are the foundation for lifelong learning.

Exemplifying lifelong learning was her forte from teaching Sunday school to living a life guided by forgiveness, often sharing the grace and mercy she received, we will be forever blessed and guided in our lives. 

Throughout her life Patricia enjoyed many things. Traveling with her husband and then with her children and grandchildren. Card and board games played with family and friends always brought joy, especially her games of Yahtzee.  She found peace watching the flowers grow and the birds visiting her feeders. But most of all she enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren as well all of their beloved pets. Patricia was the most content when her house was filled with her loved ones feeding them their favorite meals and her cherished Christmas cookies and candies.

She is survived by her four children, Julie (Kevin) Thompson, Jeff (Kim) Burkhamer, Jill Burkhamer-Krueger, Jodi Lemmer; grandchildren, Aaron (Bethany) Thompson, Angela Currier, Breanne (Ryan) Little, Kyle (Kelsey) Burkhamer, Ryan (Gina) Burkhamer, Nathaniel Burkhamer Taylor, Amanda (Broc) Bussan, Jessica (Pablo) Alcauter, Tyler Lemmer (Chelsea LaBarge), Travis Lemmer (Austyn Buckley); great grandchildren, Callia, Braxton, and Eva Thompson, Bailey and Hudson Currier, Liam Little, Hattie and Elliott Burkhamer, Posey Bloch and Parks Burkhamer, Barrett Bussan, Gabriel Alcauter, and two additional great granddaughters to arrive March and April of 2025; her sister, Virginia (Carl) Bruckner; sisters in law, Sally Shannon, Lucille Burkhamer, and Sally (Dick) Armstrong; and brother in law, Richard (Mary Pat) Burkhamer. 

Special thanks to Cathy Hammond, her caregiver turned loving dear friend, whom without her Patricia could not have enjoyed the luxury of living on her own until 90 years of age.

Patricia was preceded in death by her husband Duane; her son in law, Robert Lemmer; grandson in law, Matt Currier; and her beloved great grandson, Matteo Alcauter whose recent death had a profound effect on her. She was also preceded in death by her parents Roy and Dorothy and brother Russell and brother-in-law Karl Bruckner.  

To my Children.

Be not sorrowful that I am gone.  

And my earthly life is done. 

Be not sad I passed away.

For in you, my children, 

I live each day.

There is a little of me

in all of you,

in each new one I live anew.

So you see, 

I’ll never be really gone

as long as there are children 

to carry on.  

I’ve had my share of 

love, sorrow and strife,

I have lived a full 

and fruitful life.

So do not mourn,

and do not weep, 

for I have earned this peaceful sleep,

Mother.

Patricia requested a private family service, in lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Agrace Hospice or University of Wisconsin Children’s Hospital in Madison.

Online condolences may be made at hooversonfuneralhomes.com.