Patricia A. Fitzwater

Patricia Fitzwater Obituary

Patricia A. Fitzwater, 82, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, under the care of St Croix Hospice, with loving family at her side.

Pat was born on September 9,1942 in Plover WI, the daughter of Alois and Genevieve Bukowski. She attended St Stephens Catholic grade school and PJ Jacobs High School.  Pat married William Kluck with whom she had four children, they later divorced. She then married Bobby Fitzwater. The couple resided in Kentucky until his death, after which, she returned home to family.

While raising her family, Pat worked part-time waitressing at the 701 Club and the Blue Top Supper Club. She later worked for and retired from Orida Foods. Working outside the home provided her the opportunity to make many dear friends whom she cherished. In her younger years, Pat kept herself busy chasing after her four children; three of which were born 11 months apart. Vacations up north every summer were always looked forward to, and hot summer days spent at Collins Lake held a special place in her heart.

She loved to cook and bake and was very proud of her skills in the kitchen. But mostly, she loved to see the smiles it brought to the faces of those indulging in her creations. She also took good care to keep a spotless house and to always look her finest. Later in life, grandchildren and great grandchildren took center stage. Nothing was more precious to her than stealing a squeeze and a kiss as often as possible. Her dachshunds, who she loved dearly, served as great fill-ins when the children weren't within her reach.

In her golden years Pat was able to realize her dreams of travel. With a generous heart, she took her children and their partners to Hawaii and then on a Viking cruise to Italy, Croatia and Greece.

"We will miss you mom with all our hearts"

She is survived by her children, Denise Borland (Dan Mataic), Dwayne (Cindy) Kluck, Karen Kluck (Joe Glodowski), Randy Kluck (Renee Fischer); sisters, Kathy (Jim) Rybarczyk and Gerry (Glenn) Griesbach; Sister-in-law, Kay Bukowski; grandchildren, Brandon Kinney (Susan Deja), Kimberly (Jason) Pingel, Brianne Kluck, Mackenzie Kinney (Wes Wierzba), Zachary (Brittany) Kluck; great grandchildren, Owen and Miranda Pingel, Kyle and Norah Rose Kluck; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pat was preceded in death by her parents; her first and second husbands; her brother, Robert Bukowski; sister, Sandy Newby; and brother-in-law, Richard Newby.  As per Pat's wishes, a private family funeral service was held at Collins Park. The following poem was read by her son Dwayne…

Gone From My Sight
By Henry Van Dyke

I am standing upon the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts for the blue ocean.
She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until at length,
she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky comes to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says,
"There, she is gone"
"Gone Where?"
Gone from sight, that is all.
She is just as large in mast, hull and spar as she was when she left my side.
And, just at the moment when someone says,
"There, she is gone"
There are other eyes watching her coming.
And other voices ready to take up the glad Shout
"Here she comes"

The Pisarski Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family.

Pat's family would like to acknowledge and thank members of St. Croix Hospice for their compassionate care and continued support as well as beloved staff at The Lodge at Whispering Pines and Maple Ridge Assisted Living.