Phyllis Jeanette (Williams) Patzer

Phyllis (Williams) Patzer joined the Lord and entered into her eternal rest on Saturday, August 15, 2020, in Rio Rancho NM. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, A.R. “Pat” Patzer and her little sister, Marilyn (Williams) Erickson. She is survived by her nephews, Robert “David” Erickson, Kevin Erickson, Brent Erickson, and Gregg Erickson.


Phyllis was born on March 28, 1928, in Janesville Wisconsin to Clarence “Skinny” Williams and Irene (Fisher) Williams. She was raised during the depression with her little sister, Marilyn and then married Pat Patzer after World War II. An active couple, they lived and worked in Rio Rancho NM, Santa Clara CA, Janesville WI, and then Menomonie WI. Always staying busy, organized, and wanting to help, she worked at the University of Wisconsin in Menomonie assisting graduate students with finances while her husband helped with UW planning. She was well known for her persistence in making sure things got done right. When not working she was caring for her mother or training her prized poodle. Upon retirement, they returned to New Mexico to build their long-planned retirement home back in Rio Rancho and enjoyed being active with the church.


After her husband’s passing, Phyllis volunteered for many years, working well into her 80’s, at the Presbyterian Hospital helping families with someone going through surgery. She felt it was her way of saying thanks for the good care they had provided for her husband as he battled cancer. During this time, she also downsized her home and moved into the Rio Grande Gracious Living then the Neighborhood retirement communities in Rio Rancho. She really enjoyed the many great people she met and helping to welcome new people. The many friends she made were very much family to her.


She will be buried at Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa with a Memorial Service at a later date. In-lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial donation to the First Baptist Church in Rio Rancho that nourished her spirit and brought her so much comfort.