STOUGHTON - Patricia A. “Pat” Erickson passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023.

Pat was born Feb. 20, 1936, in Reedsburg, Wis., to parents Albert and Loretta (Meyer) Ziech. She attended schools in Reedsburg and graduated in 1954 with high honors from Reedsburg High School, where she was also a cheerleader. Pat then attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, graduating in 1958 with high honors. She earned a degree in Secondary Education with majors in English and French, and minors in speech and history.

In 1957, Pat married UWP classmate Charles “Bud” Erickson, with whom she worked on the school’s newspaper - she as editor and he as sports editor. In August of 2022, Pat and Bud celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

Early in her career, Pat taught English at Portage Junior High School and was a substitute teacher and lay reader in the Janesville school system. Later, while on a teaching project with her husband in Nigeria, Pat taught the children of missionaries as well as her own children for two years.

When the family moved to Stoughton in 1968, Pat worked part time at the Stoughton Public Library, while at the same time working to complete her master's degree in Library Information and Science at the UW-Madison. In 1977, she became the Stoughton Public Library Director, a position she held and enjoyed until her retirement in 2002. During her tenure, she worked tirelessly with the architects and design committee to build the city’s new library, which was dedicated in 1990. Pat also organized the Stoughton Friends of the Library group and was an active member thereafter.

She was also a long-time active member of the Stoughton Entre Nous Study Club and P.E.O. and greatly valued the many friendships she developed there. Over the years, Pat enjoyed many travels abroad. In addition to the family’s time in Nigeria, she and Bud toured Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany, Norway, and England.

Pat is survived by her husband, Bud; her children, Tim of Madison, Kip of Taiwan and Dana (Kamil) Tanyeri of Sarasota, Fla.; grandchildren, Eren Tanyeri (Maddie Bright) and Tanner Tanyeri (Ellen Sauer); and sisters, Sally Duckert, Paula Ziebarth, Linda Walker and Michelle Stevenson, all of Montana. She is further survived by many extended family members and friends.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Ruth Cassidy, Helen Rohde, Audrey Senner, Nancy Scott, Judy Ziech and Cindy Keeney.

A memorial service will be held at Gunderson Stoughton Funeral and Cremation Care, 1358 Highway 51 N. at Jackson St., Stoughton, at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023. Immediately following the service, a luncheon will be held at the STOUGHTON AMERICAN LEGION POST NO. 59, 803 N. Page St., Stoughton. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023, and also at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday.

Pat requested that memorials be directed to Stoughton Entre Nous, P.E.O. and/or Friends of the Stoughton Public Library. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Pat was a very humble person who made everything special.

Gunderson Stoughton
Funeral & Cremation Care
1358 Highway 51 N. at Jackson St.
(608) 873-4590

Patricia Anne Erickson

February 20, 1936 - August 08, 2023

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