Patricia L. Richardson, age 90, passed away on Monday, October 19, 2026. She was born July 1, 1936 in Postville, Iowa to LeRoy & Dorothy Schmidt.

Pat grew up in the very small farm community of St. Olaf, Iowa and then on a farm outside of the town of Waukon, Iowa where she grew to age. She attended Waukon High School where she participated in class plays and was a member of the Contest Speakers Club as well as the Cadet Teachers Corps. ( I believe she also did a stint in the Marching Band). Preparing for her future career. She was an avid reader her entire life.

She attended and graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa to further develop her teaching career. She moved to Madison, Wisconsin to teach and met her future husband (our Dad) who happened to live in the same apartment building.

She was married in 1962 and her and Dad got their Master’s Degrees at Indiana University. They spent one-year teaching in San Diego, California, but it wasn’t for them so they returned to the Midwest and settled in Wheaton, Illinois (1964?) This is when they first started attending services at the fledgling Lutheran Congregation of Holy Cross and remained a member ever since. She taught for a short time as an elementary school teacher in Wheaton (Madison or Emerson) and after the boys started to grow up returned to teaching in the Learning Lab (GED Program) at the College of DuPage.

She loved to travel, whether it was camping around the U.S. while the kids were growing up or senior’s trips after the passing of Dad. Always an active member at Holy Cross Lutheran Church whether it was teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Confirmation Class or participating in HC Play Productions, serving on council committees or the Christmas Sharing Committee or being a long-time member of the HC Quilters. Also did Square Dancing as a couple (if anyone remembers what that is?).

Survivors include her two sons, Eric Richardson of Wheaton, IL and Rolf (Lori) Richardson of Manteno, IL; four grandchildren: Bryce Richardson, Taylor (Zach) Munro, Kayla (Tom) Murphy & Megan (Devin) Sievert; four great-grandchildren: Jason, Scarlett, Alice & Valley.

She was preceded in death by her sister Corine Schmidt and her parents.

A visitation will be held on Friday, October 23, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 602 E. Geneva Road, Wheaton, IL 60187. Interment Wheaton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to Holy Cross Lutheran Church or Uplifted Hospice Care, 482 Main Street NW, Bourbonnais, IL 60914.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.