Patricia A. Callanan

Patricia Ann (Major) Callanan, 85 of Holmen WI, on Monday, February 19, 2018 walked into paradise with her Lord and Savior, Jesus, after a long struggle with life-squelching dementia. We thank God that her journey on earth is over and we now celebrate her new life.

Pat was a native of Lake Placid, New York. She loved the hills and lakes that surrounded this mountain town. Pat was born on Nov. 23, 1932, into a hardworking, Catholic family who were trying to survive the depression. Pat took on the work ethic of her family. She graduated at the top of her class from Lake Placid High School and from New York State Teacher’s College in Plattsburg. She taught in elementary schools in New York, Colorado, and New Jersey. Pat also had the experience of teaching American children, whose parents worked for Gulf Oil, in Venezuela.

Pat met her husband, John Callanan, in 1956 while she was working in Colorado. The two were married on June 30, 1962, in New York State. They had had four children, Laurel, MaryPat, Jane, and Peter. Pat did not work outside of the home while she raised her kids; however, after they were grown, Pat went back to school at Russell Sage College  in Albany, NY, earning her Master’s Degree in reading. She finished her elementary teaching career in Scotia, NY.

Early in her marriage, Pat was introduced to Jesus by her mother-in-law, Elizabeth Callanan.  Pat decided she needed Him as her Lord and Savior which began her Christian walk. She studied and embraced God’s word, teaching and singing it to her children. Pat made many friends studying, praying, singing the scriptures, and worshiping the Lord.  She had the opportunity to learn Hebrew from Dr. Karl Coke and was passionate in her studying and teaching of it.

Pat departed from earth but left a legacy for her family.  There are many of us who are here to celebrate Pat’s life including her husband of 55 years, John Hoyt Callanan, her children: Laurel (Dan) Fairchild of Castleton, NY, MaryPat (Carl) Peterson of Coon Valley, WI, Jane (Vincent) Cervoni of Wallingford, CT, and Peter (Tracy) Callanan of Spring, TX, her 7 grandchildren: Whitney, Leah, Eric, Grace, Courtney, Luke and Claire, her sister-in-law, Lynn (Ed) Gardner, her brother-in-law, John Lincoln, her 10 nieces and nephews and countless friends.

Please celebrate in worship with us at 3pm on Saturday, February 24, 2018, at the Viroqua Church of Christ. The family would love to greet you starting at 2pm. We invite you to join us for a reception at Vernon Vineyards Winery following the service.

We are so thankful for all of the wonderful people who cared for Pat from Sterling House, Clairebridge Cottage, and hospice. Memorials may be given to Gundersen Lutheran Hospice.