Lydwina Patricia Ann Ross Raught, AKA Pat, mother, mom, "crazy" grandma, gram, shorty, muzzer, BooBoo, surrendered the fight, peacefully breathing her last, crossing over to the LIGHT on Thursday, April 24, 2008 while in the care of her children. Born May 29, 1927, the only child of Vernon and Marcia (Little) Ross. Pat graduated from Belleville High School and attended the UW-Madison School of Pharmacology. On August 28, 1948, she married Gerald Raught.

Her life focus was her family: 5 children, 13 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Each had a unique connection that made them feel special. She enlightened, challenged and taught all of the time, quoting Shakespeare and exposing all to unusual verbiage and phraseology. Her incredulous wit and thought provoking one-liners were her trademarks. From her "fiercely eyes" to knowing that there would be "hair in the butter" when doing something not quite right, to a "cussy darn it", she would let you know "where the corn grew in the buckwheat". Yupper, she believed you could accomplish anything you set your mind to and proved it. The cabin in the woods was her dream legacy. An avid sports fanatic, able to discuss and name teams, players and coaches from basketball to tennis. She encouraged sports involvement and was an enthusiastic and verbal spectator. She was also a participant of softball, golf, bowling and horseshoes. Accomplished at various crafts from masonry (building fireplaces) and carpentry to ceramics, painting and quilting to name a few. Music was a big part of her sharing, introducing her family to an eclectic assortment from classical to rock n' roll. Her favorite was Barbershop. She sang the lead in her Sweet Adeline Quartet. Other interests included crossword puzzles, cribbage, photography, writing and reading. She entertained many with her stories – never telling an abbreviated version.

Employed in a plethora of venues including retail, manufacturing, catalogue production and most recently newspaper carrier. Pat was a car enthusiast, delighting in the zoom zooms and Jimmy-Johns of autos, her favorite being her Thunderbird. Mom encouraged independence and self-reliance, eliminating no possibilities, pushing limits and promoting education, formal and informal.

Her infectious and genuine smile endeared her to all those she met. Never uttering a negative word about anyone, she always focused on the positive side of every challenge and person, making it an opportunity for a life lesson.

She is survived by her posse of five children: Verne "Peepsie" Weber (John), Belleville; Michael Raught, Green Bay; Marcia Colby (Timothy), Sauk-Prairie; Patricia "Patti" Stevens (Michael), Baraboo; Christopher Raught (Carrie), Plain; thirteen grandchildren: Tracy Weber (Dawn), Fritz Weber (friend Brenda), Brendan and Hannah Raught (Kathryn Barry), Kelly Wiskus (Brad), Sarah Colby (fiancée Justin Zajicek), Raechel Colby (friend Mitch), Forrest Russell, Danielle and Chase Stevens, Chelsey, Cassidy and Colbie Raught; one great-grandchild: Christopher Weber; and the father of her children, Jerry Raught; cousins and an array of extended family and friends. Her parents and her "sister", Chick, preceded her in death.

The family extends a special thank you to the staff at Oakwood Village Hebron and Hospice Care. Also, Dr. Cynthia Haq for her committed care of mom.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2008 from 5 – 8 PM at Hooverson Funeral Home in Sauk City. There will be a visitation on Friday, May 2, 2008 at 11:00 AM at St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church in Belleville with the funeral Mass at 1:00 PM. Burial will be in the Belleville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sauk County Hospice and St. Mary of Lourdes building fund.