Patty was born January 9, 1969 in Appleton. She grew up in Black Creek and attended the Hortonville schools, graduating from Hortonville High School in 1987. On June 10, 1988 she was united in marriage to James Schweitzer at St. Edward Catholic Church in Mackville. The couple bought their first farm in Iola, and they operated numerous farms across Wisconsin over the years. In 2005, Patty purchased the ceramic shop, Patty’s Countryside Ceramics, in Shawano. She and Jim also own and operate The South Forty Feed Mill in Shawano which they purchased in 2013.
Patty was passionate about her pets, especially her horses and her cat, Sweetie. She kept busy with both businesses, and enjoyed the bond she made with all of her “ceramic ladies”. She loved horseback rides, fishing, and her flower gardens, and was a fan of MoPar Automobiles. Patty spent many winters in Arizona. Among her many talents were her crafts, carpentry, painting, welding, and renovating.
Survivors include her husband of 31 years, Jim, of Shawano; her daughter, Holly Ann Schweitzer, of Madison; her brothers, Dan (Linda) DeBruin of Black Creek, and Andrew (Beth) DeBruin of New London; special nieces, Eryn DeBruin and Carolyn DeBruin; special nephew, Levi DeBruin; her parents, Marvin and Catherine DeBruin; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harold and Rita Schweitzer.
A service for Patty will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 1:00 PM at Mickelson Funeral Service in Shawano. Visitation will take place from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers and plants, the family prefers memorials to the Red River Riders in Patty’s name.
