Patty Sonntag Neumueller

Our beloved Patty Sonntag Neumueller passed away on May 21, 2024 at the age of 73 after a challenging battle with Parkinson’s and Lewy body dementia and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Patty was born in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1950. She grew up in Lakeside and attended Azle High School. After graduation, she attended the University of Texas in Austin before moving with her family to Wisconsin in 1972. Patty met her future husband, Ed during this meshing of families and spent their next 52 years together.

Sonntag/Neumueller Connection: Patty’s father, Larry Sonntag passed in 1969 and Ed’s mother, Regina Neumueller passed in 1967. In 1972, Patty’s mother, Gemma Sonntag married Ed’s father, Jack Neumueller and then moved her family of four children to live in Wisconsin with the Neumueller family of seven children. 

Patty and Ed attended the University of Wisconsin together and she graduated with a B.S. in Sociology in 1974. Patty and Ed married in 1976 and welcomed their son, John, into the world in 1987. 

Patty had a great love for all people and animals in need and volunteered for many years at the WayForward Food Panty, the Cross Plains EMS, the Dane County Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, a local friend’s sheep farm and the Heartland Animal Sanctuary. At home, her dogs were an enduring source of love and support. Also, in her career as a human Resources Director, she put her empathetic compassion into action, advocating for employees at Standard Imaging for 17 years. 

Patty was an avid reader, especially enjoying biographies, history and the stories of James Harriet as well as the program All Creatures Great and Small, finding comfort in the characters’ compassion for living things. She retired in 2016.  

Patty and her husband, Ed, enjoyed camping, hiking, birds, wildflowers; and were unwavering supporters of many environmental and preservation efforts.

Both enjoyed trips to Sanibel Island, FL and the California coastline where they walked the wildlife refuges and entertained their fondness for birds and enjoyed shelling on the local beaches.

Patty could often be found in the garden or tending to planter beds around her yard, taking great care for and pride in that which grew around her house.

Patty and Ed frequently attended UW Badger sporting events and loved to watch the Packers, unless they were doing poorly, then it hurt her heart too much and she had to go in the other room.

Patty is survived by her husband, Ed, son, John and siblings: Steve Neumueller, Donna (Dick) Reinardy, Mike (Janis) Sonntag, Susie Sonntag, Mark (Henrietta) Sonntag, Joan (Mike) Moe, Mark (Kathy) Neumueller, Denise Bresser and 23 nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father, Larry Sonntag, her mother, Gemma Sonntag Neumueller and father-in-law Jack Neumueller, as well as sister Mary (Neumueller) Waite sister-in-law Sharel Surles and brother-in-law Brian Bresser.

A Celebration of Life for Patty will be held in September at the Heartland Animal Sanctuary. For details, please email edneu@tds.net.

In lieu of flowers we ask that you please donate to Heartland Animal Sanctuary on her behalf.

Please share your memories of Patty here on her tribute wall.

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406