Patricia “Pat” Jean Tenfel (Nee: Fitzgerald), age 95, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 19, 2026 at Froedtert Hospital in West Bend, with her family by her side. Pat was born in Chippewa Falls, WI on June 3,1930 to Patrick and Gertrude (Nee: Lawless) Fitzgerald. She was raised on her family farm in Boyd, WI and was a graduate from Stanley High School class of 1947. After high school, she attended Business School in Milwaukee, WI. In 1952, she was employed as a secretary for the Milwaukee Hawks Professional Basketball Team and traveled during their relocation to St. Louis in 1954. Her love of family and Wisconsin brought her back to the state in 1956 where she worked for a couple of advertising agencies and then became the executive Secretary for Taylor Electric Company in 1961. She enjoyed her career of 34 years at Taylor Electric, before retiring in 1995.
On October 10,1964 Patricia was united in marriage to Francis (Frank) Joseph Tenfel, and they shared 55 years of marriage until his passing on May 6th, 2020. Pat and Frank enjoyed many years on the golf course, traveling together to golf tournaments, cheering for the Green Bay Packers in County Stadium and hosting many get-to-gethers with family and friends. After retirement, they moved to West Palm Beach, Florida where they resided for 7 years and moved back home to West Bend in 2003.
Pat was a devoted Catholic and member of St. Francis Cabrini Parish in West Bend for 45 years. She was also immensely proud of her Irish heritage and wore green and shamrocks whenever she got the chance; plus traveled to Ireland with her brother and sister in 1991. In her earlier days, Pat enjoyed playing golf at both Rivermoore Country Club in Waterford and West Bend Country Club. All her life, she was a full-time sports fan of many Wisconsin teams: The Green Bay Packers, The Milwaukee Brewers, Marquette basketball and the Wisconsin Badgers basketball, football and volleyball. Pat exercised at the YMCA in West Bend up until August of this past year. She loved socializing with her YMCA group during the week, and many people were amazed at her health and work-out routine. Most of all, Pat absolutely loved spending time with her daughter and son-in-law and 3 grandchildren. She was a dedicated and avid attendee at almost all their various sports activities and events throughout the years. She had an uncanny positive attitude toward all aspects of life. Her zest for life was contagious.
Patricia will be deeply missed by her daughter Kelly (Darryl) Zellmer, grandchildren: Kyle, Carson, and Kenlyn Zellmer. She will also be missed by her sister Judith (Patrick) Miller, her brother William (Janice) Fitzgerald, her nieces, Kimberly (Peter Barrickman) Miller, Elizabeth (David McKinney) Miller, Patricia (Jimmy) Strauch, and her nephew Thomas (Amanda) Fitzgerald. She is preceded in death by her parents, Patrick and Gertrude Fitzgerald, her husband, Frank Tenfel, her brothers, Richard Fitzgerald and Patrick James Fitzgerald and brother-in-law, Patrick Miller.