Patricia Harbour Waggoner, loving mother, grandmother, sister, friend and long-time resident of Menomonie, WI, peacefully passed away on September 20, 2016 at The Neighbors of Dunn County. The family is deeply appreciative for the attentive professional care they afforded her the past few years.

Patricia Annette was born on February 26, 1937 in Superior, WI to Annette and Myron Harbour.  Her early life was spent in the Wisconsin cities of Iron River, Campbellsport, and Portage, where her father taught in the high schools. She was the first Iron River Blueberry Queen at age 3. When she was a fifth grader, she moved with her family to Menomonie where her father taught at UW Stout.  She graduated from Menomonie High School in 1955, also graduating from UW Eau Claire in 1966 with a B.S. in Elementary Education, and in 1977 she received her M.S. in Elementary School Counseling from UW Stout.

She taught at North School in Menomonie for seven years, and then transferred to River Heights Elementary School, retiring in 1994 after teaching fifth grade in Menomonie for 28 years. She will be remembered for her kindness, patience and thoughtfulness of others. In addition to belonging to Chapter AN, P.E.O., Pat also belonged to Book Club, Retired Educators, Alpha Tau Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, as well as Coterie and Women’s Fellowship of First Congregational Church where she was a long time dedicated member. At home she loved to tend to her flower garden.

She is survived by her sons Steven (Pamela) of Minong, WI and John (Sue) of Menomonie, WI along with grandsons, Joseph and Ryan Waggoner of Minneapolis, MN and step-grandchildren Jennifer (Bruce) Lorimor of Superior, WI and Anthony Anderson of Manitowoc, WI., two step great grandchildren, Lily and Jackson Lorimor.  Also surviving are her two brothers, Robert M. (Mary) Harbour of Punta Gorda, FL and John R. Harbour of Aiken, SC, plus many nieces, nephews and treasured friends.  She is preceded in death by her father Myron Harbour and mother Annette Harbour Wedeward.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to First Congregational Church.

Memorial services will be 11:00 AM Tuesday September 27, 2016 at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Menomonie with Rev. Kathleen Remund officiating.  Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Menomonie.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until the time of the services at the church on Tuesday.

Condolences

1. Angela Catto October 1, 2016, at 8:33pm

   Dearest “Mrs. Waggoner,

   “Once upon a time”, you and I had shared many of experiences. What a myriad! So fortunate I am to not only describe your beauty in all this organize chaos, but also define one of the loveliest and most humble people I’ve ever had the honor of calling “my friend”.
   Where does one begin to embrace someone who gave so much and asked for so little? I’m not quite sure because I honestly can’t remember a time when you weren’t part of my life. As I recall though, our friendship began quite earnestly while you and I were teaching at River Heights. Looking back, I can still hear the throng of voices moving through the hall. There, we would be. Each teacher anticipating/pondering what the day may bring. And then, the bell. As the busyness of every classroom would begin, I remember listening to your classroom. (Not because your room was exceptionally louder, but because of that make shift curtain they called a wall was between us.) I can still hear the excited anthems of bliss as you said "Good Morning" to your classroom…Then the chiming began from the kids.... “Mrs. Waggoner, this”, or “Mrs. Waggoner”, that. Unmeasured by urgency, your reaction to each eager voice was addressed with patience and dignity. As I observed you in action, it became apparent to me that I was in the presence of a teacher of rare quality. It was a time for me to listen, learn, and use this opportunity to grow; to emulate someone such as yourself would had been a monumental stride in anyone’s career. I watched how you empathized and analyzed each child, knowing that you were building on their strengths, while focusing on how to embrace their weaknesses. Each learning style was paramount in your classroom. Long before the norms, the standards, and the data, no child was ever left behind in your classroom. It doesn’t get any better than that. As a teacher, your expectations for the classroom were grounded by sound knowledge and information; yet as a mentor, I witnessed someone who helped the learner discover their own wisdom, through encouragement and respect. You were not defined by the educational trends of the day. You were of that breed who knew that our profession was a delicate balance between teaching and mentoring. Those were the keys that unlocked many a child's journey in your classroom. You probably didn't realize what an inspiring teacher you were. What I learned from you was irreplaceable. Through it all, we always found time to laugh ……… the years we had 35 students in each of our classrooms. The years we lived through building construction next to our classrooms, yes, through it all, we found the time to laugh. Then, you retired. But, you never retired from me! You, my dear friend, were always there for me. The anthems of bliss you heard in your classroom became my call for celebration or help!!!! How often did I come knocking at your back door summoning “Mrs. Waggoner”? And, when you greeted me, I knew exactly where my bottle of wine was located. You would in turn get out the cheese and crackers, and “WE” would begin. Oh, we would analyze the times, the news in Menomonie, and the world, but then there were the times you would quietly sit back and listen. That gift of listening you offered to me was so lovingly and thoughtfully given. There were the occasions I used to run away from my “boys” seeking some “respite care”. And, where would I wind up? "Pat’s Bar and Grill”, of course! We would laugh so much. Then, losing track of time, the inevitable phone call would come. “Pat, have you seen Ang?” We would smile, and I would slither back home until the next time. But, it was the other times, where you silent strength moved like no other ……… you held me in your eyes when my mother died, you held me in your prayers when my father died, and you held me in your heart when my Scot died. Dearest Pat, you were silenced by your voice, but your eyes spoke volumes. By all that is holy and good, there will never be anyone like you. The final words spoken in Les Miserables says it best " To love another person is to see the face of God".

   Sent from my iPad

2. Ruth Harbour September 27, 2016, at 9:53am

   I cherish the many memories I have of Pat - her warmth and kindness toward me along with that great smile and laugh. My deepest sympathy goes out to all of her family.

3. Tom Jarvis September 26, 2016, at 2:33pm

   I was a candle lighter at Patty's wedding and must have been 10-12 years old at the time. I believe her brother, Jack, was also the other candle lighter.

   While I didn/t know her well, it seems all the families of the Old Guard of the Stout Faculty knew one another and she was always so friendly when we would see her on returning to Menomonie.

   Time moves on, but it's so sad to hear about her, and also sad to see that we are not only losing the Old Guard, but the sons and daughters of the Old Guard.

   My sincere condolences to her brothers Bob and Jack and the rest of Pat's Family.

4. Susan Thurin September 26, 2016, at 1:38pm

   Dear John and Sue,

   Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your mother.

   Susan Thurin

5. Carol (Schoepper) Habhegger September 22, 2016, at 4:01pm

   Our paths have taken different routes since high school, but I will always remember Pat for the kind person she was. Prayers are with your family Pat. See you on the other side.

6. Heather Oxer September 21, 2016, at 5:32pm

   My dear Aunt Pat was the sweetest and most caring woman and her memories will be treasured by our family forever. My husband, Jeremy, and daughters Annie & Lucy and I send lots of love to our Wisconsin family for the loss of their amazing Mom & Grandmother.

View More Posts ( # )