Patricia Lee Stifter

Patricia Lee Stifter (nee Viesselmann) passed away peacefully surrounded by family on the evening of Jan. 15, 2026.

She was born on Feb. 13, 1943, the only daughter of Elmer and Norma (nee Hennings) Viesselmann.

She spent her childhood on the family dairy farm in the Town of Grafton and attended a one-room schoolhouse in her grade school years. She graduated from Grafton High School with the Class of 1961.

High school is also where she met the love of her life, Ron Stifter. They married in 1965 and spent the early years of their marriage in a tiny, one-bedroom apartment in Milwaukee, where she was a nurse in the labor and delivery department at St. Michael’s Hospital. She and Ron eventually moved to rural Saukville, where they raised their four daughters.

Pat’s culinary and baking skills were greatly appreciated by her entire family, and baking Christmas cookies with her was a favorite activity for her children and grandchildren alike.

She was also an artist at heart, first trying her hand at rosemaling, then becoming an accomplished watercolorist. She designed and painted the family Christmas cards for many years. She also volunteered at her daughters’ schools and at St. Joseph’s (Froedtert) Hospital.

She was a faithful member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grafton for more than 50 years.

She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Ron; her four daughters, Rebecca (Chris) Werner, Heidi (Alex) Kropp, Rachel (Pablo Castillo) Stifter and Ellen (Jess) Leider; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; her brothers David  Viesselmann and Peter (Kathie) Viesselmann; two brothers-in-law, Jim (Jered) Stifter and Randy (Bev) Stifter; sisters-in-law Marie Viesselmann and Gail Stifter; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and good friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws Otto and Dolores Stifter, her brother Richard Viesselmann and her brother-in-law Jerry Stifter.

A memorial service for Patricia will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 701 Washington St., Grafton, WI 53024. The family will receive friends and relatives at church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to the oncology department at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital-Ozaukee or St. Paul Lutheran Church, Grafton, Wis.

Eernisse Funeral Home of Cedarburg is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.