Patricia Ann (Sprague-Munz) Best

Best, Patricia Ann (Sprague-Munz) MONONA – Patricia Ann (Sprague-Munz) Best, age 78, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, at St. Mary’s Care Center in Madison, surrounded by her loving family. Mom was born on Feb. 26, 1936, in Athens, Ohio, to Dr. John T. and Emily Liddell Sprague. Following a move to Madison in 1940, Mom attended Edgewood Grade School and graduated from Wisconsin High School in 1954. Mom was an accomplished swimmer, smashing records for the B.B. Clarke, Tenney Beach, and Edgewood swim teams, and also enjoyed adding to her impressive stamp collection. Following graduation, Mom attended Saint Clara Academy in Sinsinawa, Wis. and Madison Business College, before marrying her high school sweetheart, Richard Vold Munz in February 1955, and eventually settling in Monona, where Mom and Dad raised six children. Mom absolutely cherished her role of stay-at-home Mom and being involved in all of her children’s many activities. The Monona Munz homestead enjoyed countless gatherings of friends and family where Mom was lovingly referred to by many of her children’s friends as “Ma Munz”. Mom was very active at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, modeled in several local fashion shows, and enjoyed bowling in her ladies league. Following Mom and Dad’s divorce, Mom met and married William H. Best in October 1976. Mom and Bill continued living in Monona and on the East Side and enjoyed 30 years together before Bill’s passing in 2006. Mom and Bill founded Best Civil Process in October 1982, and successfully ran this well-known business for over 23 years. “Chatty Patty” made this sometimes difficult occupation seem easy, with her humor and ability to converse with anyone. Mom and Bill loved boating, were members of The Elks Club and the Four Lakes Yacht Club, loved trips to Florida, Mexico, Lake Wisconsin, and Eagle River, relished their gambling excursions with friends, and above all, just enjoyed being with each other day-by-day, side-by-side, in work and play. Mom loved tending her beautiful gardens, going on car rides, going out to eat, playing card games, watching Game Show Network, and playing her puzzle books. Mom had a sweet tooth and enjoyed her daily fix of Oreos, or donuts and cake with her friends at Heritage Monona. Mom adored spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren; nothing brought her more joy in life. Mom is survived by her children, John Munz of Eagle River, Tom (Shawn) Munz of Monona, Sherry (Steve) Boyle of Madison, Bill (Kathy) Munz of Sun Prairie and Steve (DeAnn) Munz of Cottage Grove; 12 grandchildren, Jennifer Worner (Travis Higgins), Julie (Steve) Zimmerschied, Jill Munz, Robert (Brandi) Munz, Adrianne Munz, Kelly, Katelyn and Joe Boyle, Michael and Niki Munz, and Hailey and Jacob Munz; six great-grandchildren, Miles Worner, Ava and Brielle Zimmerschied, Arianna Eddins, and Madisyn and Camryn Munz; brother, Jack (Mary) Sprague; ex-husband, Richard (DeDe) Munz; brothers and sisters-in-law, Suzanne and Paul Buckner, Kathy and Al Reiner, and Jim Munz; four nieces and nephews; and four great nieces and nephews. Mom was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bill Best, her son, Robert Munz, a granddaughter, Ashly Munz, and her daughter-in-law, Jessie Munz. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY, 5101 Schofield Street, Monona, at 11 a.m., on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, with Father John Silva officiating. Mom will be laid to rest, between her beloved Bill and Bob, at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014, and at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. Our family would like to express our immeasurable gratitude to the staff at St. Mary’s Care Center, Home Health United, Heritage Senior Living Monona, and to Dr. Philip Bain, Dr. Michael Frontiera, and Dr. Jason Sansone for the deeply compassionate care that you each gave to Mom, and to all of the many friends that Mom made over the years at Heritage Monona, Perkins Restaurant (East Towne) and Red Robin Monona. Mom loved all of you like family. Also, a very special thank you to Mom’s niece, Cari, for bringing such joy to Mom with your visits, poem reading, and harmonica playing/singing; you held a special place in Mom’s heart. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes any memorials given in Mom’s name be directed to St. Mary’s Care Center, Home Health United, Heritage Senior Living Monona, or Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. God saw you getting tired, and a cure was not to be, so He put His arms around you and whispered, “Come with me.” With tearful eyes we watched you as you slowly slipped away, and though we loved you dearly, we couldn’t make you stay. Your golden heart stopped beating, your tired hands put to rest, God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the BEST! We love you and will carry a piece of you in our hearts forever, Mom; rest in much-deserved eternal peace. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Dr. (608) 221-5420