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PATRICIA A. KIESLER, 89, of Fort Atkinson went home to Jesus on Wednesday, November 30, 2016. She passed away peacefully at Black Hawk Senior Residence, under the care of their very kind staff, and the help of Rainbow Hospice. Pat was a resident of Jefferson for the first half of her life, and of Fort Atkinson in the years to follow.
She was born on June 9, 1927 to the late Franklin and Alice LaDien. The LaDien family owned and operated Crown Bottling Company in Jefferson for approximately 20 years. Pat had many great stories about her childhood, which included riding in the “rumble seat” while they delivered the beer they bootlegged in the pop factory!
In high school, Pat worked as a telephone operator. In March of 1947, by the train tracks behind Crown Bottling, Pat met James M Kiesler of Fond du Lac. They married three months later. In the early years of their marriage, they ran a restaurant in Jefferson where Jim cooked and Pat waitressed for about five years.
After raising her family, Pat returned to work at Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital as the switchboard operator. Many remember seeing her white hair and lipsticked smile behind the information desk when they walked in the building. Pat retired in 1995 after 20 years.
Pat fully enjoyed her retirement spending time with family and friends, playing in multiple bridge groups, taking trips with friends, following several jazz bands including Red Hot and Blue, Red Hot Dixie, and the Rampart Street Paraders, even going on cruises to watch them! She also took many trips to Brookfield to the Red Mill, with dear friends, to watch musicians “Danny and Rob.”
Survivors include one brother, Don (Inez) LaDien of Jefferson.
Children Kathleen (Robert) Roser of Cumming, GA, Mary (Richard) Olson of Fort Atkinson,
and James F Kiesler of Jefferson; grandchildren Laurie (Mark) Buckley, Lisa Crofoot,
Richelle (Dan) Rottmann, and Ryan (Julie) Olson; great-grandchildren Sophia Glick, Alexia, Lilyan and Jamison Rottmann, and Jayden Olson; Nephew Franklin “Rocky” (Catherine) LaDien and their children Joseph and John LaDien and special family members Mary (Gary) Haag, Kim Sullivan and son Gage, Jenny (Dan) Howe and children Zack and Hana Grossman, and Jeremy (Leah) Haag and children Carson and Miles.
Also preceded in death by her son Kevin Michael Kiesler, special family member Jenna Sullivan, and many special friends.
Pat had a strong faith in God and was a member of St John’s Catholic Church in Jefferson for most of her life, and most recently St Joseph Church in Fort Atkinson.
Because she always said she lived a good life and always referred to her funeral as her “party” the family requests that you wear bright colors when you attend the party to celebrate her life! Also, if you have one of the many personalized stockings Pat knit over a span of decades; please bring it with you to the church to decorate the altar with her work!
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 14, at St John’s Catholic Church of Jefferson, beginning at 10am, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 12:00 noon.
Visit www.schneidermichaelisfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence or light a candle in her memory.