Patricia Ann Richer

Patricia Ann Richer, 87 of Sparta, passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center in Sparta. She was born April 5, 1931 in Lockport, IL to Lincoln and Ruby {O’Connor} Dodge. She married Donald Backus and later married James E. Richer on May 28, 1971 in Lockport, IL. He survives.
Also surviving are her children, Paulette ( Duane) Bolten of Tomah, Stephen Backus of Tomah, Bruce (Virginia) Backus of Sparta, Mark Backus and Robert Backus both of Tomah; daughter-in-law, Cathie Backus of Phoenix, AZ; step-children, Doug (Cherrie) Richer and Connie (Aaron) Harper both of Iron Mountain, MI; sister, Arlyce (Arthur) Behmetuik of Lockport, IL; brother-in-law, Neil (Debbie) Richer of Iron Mountain, MI; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and many other loving relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Donald Backus; son, David Backus; siblings, Bill Dodge, Barbara Dodge, and Paul Dodge; and stepson, Terry Richer.
Patricia worked at Tomah Hospital for 10 years and then for the VA in Tomah, Danville, IL, and Iron Mountain, MI for 10 years. A “jack of a trades” and she mastered all of them. She was very independent and if she couldn’t fix something, she would gather all the information she could about it until she had enough to fix it herself. Patricia loved gardening and loved her flowers. She loved to brighten someone’s day with a handmade gift she crocheted or painted. Patricia was a talented landscape painter and saw beauty in all that was here on earth. Her and Jim loved to travel, and they went so many places where great memoires were made. She was a main person to her family, and they will all miss teasing her and her teasing right back. Her presence will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of Patricia’s life will be held on her birthday, Sunday, April 5, 2020 at 2:00 PM at Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau Street, Tomah. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until time of services. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center in Sparta.