Patrick W. Lake, 92, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away Monday morning June 5, 2023 at Bayview Senior Care in Sturgeon Bay.
He was born November 3, 1930 in Appleton, the son of the late Eugene and Ada (Adkins) Lake. Patrick graduated from Rib Lake High School before entering service to his country in the United States Air Force. He honorably served his country for 20 years retiring with the rank of Staff Sgt. On October 11, 1952, he married Marietta L. DeFere at S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Institute. They were blessed with five children. Marietta died suddenly following a medical procedure at the young age of 31 years.
Following his honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force, Pat went to work for Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay and retired after 20 years of employment.
Pat loved horses, racing trotters in his younger days, and working on the Tong Farm.
He was an active member of Harness Racing Association, Local 449 Boilmakers, VFW Post 3088 and the Weber-Tess Amvets Post 51.
Survivors include his five children, Mark (Nancy) Lake of Sturgeon Bay, Greg (Debbie) Lake of Green Bay, Michele “Shelly” (Bill) Cowans of Green Bay, Vicky (Pat) Rankin of Sturgeon Bay, and Dan (Melissa) Lake of Suamico; grandchildren, Torry (Laura) Lake, Travis (Sarah) Lake, Sara Lake, Rebecca “Becca” (Jay) Gmeindl, Amanda (Brad) Kotarek, Rob (Kelly) Rankin, Kristina (Mike) Blackley, Brent (Katie) Rankin, Hali Lake, and Eliam Lake; step-grandchildren, Laurie (John) Haberli, William “Bill”, Jr. (Cheryl) Sampone, Julie (Wade) Jonas, Ann (John) Hamilton, and Corey Sampone; great-grandchildren, Alexandria and Patrick, Charlotte and Ruby, Elise, Evan and Emmett, Everett and Grace, Jaxon and Cassie, Bailey, Faith and Colton, and Liam and Lily; step-great-grandchildren, Marcellus and Mateo, Katie (her son, Andrew), Molly, Brooke (Reece), Ashley (her son, Dominik), Hunter, Devan (Luke), and Dylan; and special friend, Patti Jo Dwyer-Woods.
Preceding him in death was his parents, Eugene and Ada Lake; wife, Marietta; great-grandson, Caleb; stepsons, Bill (Margaret) Sampone and Carl Sampone.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church with Fr. Robert Stegmann officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at the church cemetery.
Friends may call from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, June 12, 2023 at Huehns Funeral Home and at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m.
Memorials may be directed in Pat’s memory to DOORCANcer, Inc.
“We will miss our dad’s enduring smile, sense of humor, one liners and his determination to live the life he was dealt with a positive attitude and love for his family. Thank you to the wonderful care givers at Anna’s (now Bayview Senior Care) and to Unity Hospice for taking care of our dad.”
Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Patrick may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.
