Patricia A. Grahn

• Memorial Visitation, Saturday, April 15, 2023 at the Funeral Home, 9200 S. 27th St.  from 11am-1pm
• Time of Sharing Saturday, April 15, 2023 at the Funeral Home at 1pm. 

Grahn, Patricia A. “Pat”

Patricia Ann (nee Lesky), 84, of Cudahy, passed away on March 8, 2023, surrounded by her loving family, at St Luke’s South Shore Hospital.

Pat was born to Arthur and Julie (nee Wielebski) Lesky on July 22, 1938 at Mount Sinai Hospital in Milwaukee. Her early years were spent in the neighborhood around Mitchell Street, within blocks of her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. In 1950, the family moved to the Town of Lake, what is now the city of Saint Francis. And what Pat called the “boonies”.

Pat was baptized into the Catholic Church on August 7, 1938 at St Vincent de Paul in Milwaukee. Her godparents were her grandfather, Peter Wielebski and her aunt, Frances Schwabe. Pat’s First Communion was at St Lawrence Church in Milwaukee and her Confirmation was at Sacred Heart Church in Saint Francis. She attended school at St Lawrence, Thompson School in Saint Francis and Bayview High School.

Pat never finished high school. She always said, that the only thing she ever wanted, was to be “a wife and mother” and she did not need school for that.

For a time, Pat work at the Ladish Forging Company (now ATI Forged Products) in Cudahy with her mother Julie. Pat’s future husband and love of her life, Gerald (Jerry) Grahn also work at Ladish. They worked different shift and never met at work. Like so many great love stories before and after them, they met at a bar in Cudahy.

Pat and Jerry were married at the Milwaukee County Courthouse on April 4, 1959. They had sixty-three wonderful years together and raised four children, Debi (the late Mark) of Caledonia, Gary Grahn, Shari Grahn and Michael Grahn, all of Cudahy.

Pat devoted her life to her family and those she considered family. Her mottos were the “more the merrier” and the “door is always open”. Pat’s house was the house that all the kids hung out at. She was generous with her time, talents, money, food and loved to shop for others. You never left Grandma Pat’s house without a bag. She was there to offer advice, a shoulder to cry on, and a place to stay. Pat was an amazing cook and known for her baked beans. She loved to sew, making clothes for her kids when they were younger, bibs and blankets for the new babies and would be darning socks on laundry days. Later in life she formed lasting friendships with her weekly TOPS Club “girls” and enjoyed taking monthly trips to the casino. And Pat loved game shows, especially the Family Freud with Steve Harvey.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Michael and James Lesky

Pat is survived by her husband Jerry, her four children, her cherished grandchildren Cheslea Stack and Joshua (Amy) Stack. Her treasured great grandchildren, Mya and Jacob Stack, that called her GG. Also her brother Jack (Pat) Lesky, sisters-in-law Nancy (John) Moerke and Fay (the late Norman) Grahn, and brother-in-law Ted (the late Toni) Grahn. Her goddaughter Nancy West. Her “extra” daughter Linda (Ken) Milkey and “special” granddaughter Marie (nee Milkey) Dole and Marie’s children Addison, Nolan and Arabella. Pat is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, neighbors and friends.

“When through one woman, a little more love and goodness, a little more light and truth come into the world; then that woman’s Life has had meaning. “ – Alfred Delp

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday April 15, 2023 at the FUNERAL HOME, from 11am-1pm with a Time of Sharing at 1pm. Pat will be laid to rest at a later date at St. Adalberts Cemetery.

HERITAGE FUNERAL HOME

9200 S. 27^th Street       414-761-2750

heritagefuneral.com