Patricia E. Ecker-Hanson

Madison - Patricia Ellen Ecker-Hanson,63, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 23, at HospiceCare, Inc., in Madison following a valiant six and one-half year battle against ovarian cancer. Petite in size, Patti's heart, strength, and courage were unassailable. She endured five operations and numerous chemotherapy and radiation treatments until she ran out of options; treatments ceased in October of 2009, six years after her initial diagnosis.

Cancer took her life, but never her spirit.

Patti was born in Milwaukee on Sept. 25, 1946, to William Ecker and his wife, Betty (Felker). Her earliest years were spent in New Lisbon, before moving to Madison with her mother and stepfather, Donald Lumsden, and twin brothers. A graduate of East High School in 1964, Patti earned her undergraduate degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 1970, and her master's degree in Education Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Over her 36-year career in education, Patti helped teach and influence the lives of more than 400 students, starting her career in 1970 in Lake Mills where she taught fourth grade at East Troy until 1973 when she became a third grade teacher at Prospect Elementary. The Madison Public School District hired her in 1976 in its special education department where she specialized in learning disabilities at the Emerson ('76-81), Glendale ('81-'86), and John Muir ('86-'89) elementary schools. From 1989 until she retired from teaching in 2006 due to her illness, Patti taught second and third grades at Shorewood Elementary. A lifelong advocate of reading, science, and math skills for her students, Patti believed children need a strong home environment, discipline, consistency, care, and compassion. She has worked with many talented and professional teachers, whom she thought were underappreciated by too many parents, taxpayers, and politicians. She was honored and humbled when former students and parents recognized her contributions to their lives.

On February 27, 1982, she married Jim Hanson. The couple welcomed an early Christmas present and tax deduction when Patti gave birth to their beautiful and talented daughter, Elese, on December 24, 1982.

Patti's friends know her as a strong, private, and self contained individual who loved her family above all else. Her life is further defined by her love of quilting, books, exercise, dancing, movies, and horseback riding. A member of two book clubs, Patti enjoyed the discussions and friendships they fostered.

Patti is survived by her husband, Jim; daughter, Elese, a patent attorney in Chicago; brother-in-law, John N. Hanson (Gail), Washington, DC; sister-in-law Kristen Koiles, Arcadia, Calif.; mother-in-law, Arlis Hanson, Chippewa Falls; brothers Billy Ecker (Rosie), of Madison, Bobby Ecker (Sue), of McFarland; and nephews and nieces, Christopher Hanson (Tricia), Julian Koiles, Janet Koiles, Amy (Randy) Reisdorf, Christopher Ecker, Jessica Ecker, and Arick Ecker.

She was preceded in death by her father (Bill), mother (Betty), stepfather (Donald Lumsden), father-in-law (John E. Hanson), and brother-in-law (Jereld Koiles), all of whom died of cancer.

Patti and her family are particularly grateful for her skilled doctors Julian Schink, Ellen Hartenbach, Kristin Bradley, Mustafa Baskaya, and Toby Campbell; the talented and caring oncology nursing and support staff at the UW Hospital; the unwavering support and guidance of Dr. Suzanne Lee and the Center for Patient Partnerships; and the tenderness of HospiceCare's doctors and staff. We are especially grateful to Jim's family, and to our friends and co-workers here and in Chicago for their support over these difficult years.

Patti was disappointed that ovarian cancer does not receive the public's attention that breast cancer does.

A Celebration of Patti's life will be held on Friday, February 26, 2010 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison with a visitation from 4:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. and a Memorial Tribute at 6:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to contribute to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (http://www.ovariancancer.org/) or the Center for Patient Partnerships (http://patientpartnerships.krambs.com/).