Patricia Wicks

Patricia M. Wicks, age 75, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at Avantara Watertown.  Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 29, 2025, at Lutheran Church of our Redeemer in Watertown.  Pastor Laura Overbo will officiate. Music will be provided by A.J. Sherrill as organist. The service will be livestreamed via this link https://youtube.com/live/DItHOgVfwus?feature=share

Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Sunday from 3-5 p.m. and prior to services at the church on Monday.

Private family burial will be at South Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD. Honorary pallbearers are brothers in law- Craig Williams, Dave Fenner, Brent Fisher, Ed Fischbach and Dennis, Darvin, Dan, Dana, and Doug Wicks along with former co-workers at Miracle Steel, whom she considered an extended family.

Pat was born August 9, 1950, in Ipswich, SD, to Ted and Allie Joy (Hales) Lerew. She and her sisters grew up on a farm near Cresbard. She enjoyed helping her dad with their cattle, hogs and growing wheat. She loved to sew and had many 4-H ribbons to show for it. Pat was an excellent student and especially enjoyed band, performing with the All-State Band two years in a row. She graduated from Cresbard High School with the Class of 1968. Following high school, she attended and graduated from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography and Education in 1972.

SDSU is where Pat met David Wicks; she scooped his mashed potatoes in the food service line and the rest is history! On January 29, 1972, Patricia married David in their senior year in college. Early in their careers, they lived in Sisseton where Pat worked at the bank. Later they relocated to Watertown and they welcomed two children, Elli and Andrew. She worked as the office manager at Miracle Steel in Watertown for over 30 years until 2009; when she retired.  After retirement, she kept busy doing bookkeeping for her son's business.

Pat devoted countless hours volunteering for her kids' swim club activities when they were young and took them all over the country for meets. She enjoyed ceramics, reading, playing cards, and Bingo. She liked to listen to music and being outdoors. She was an incredible advisor and cheerleader to Elli and Andrew as they grew their careers. She loved watching her two grandchildren, Theo and Henry grow up, attending as many of their activities as possible.  David states she was always an independent person who didn't like to ask for help or "need" anything. She had a kind heart and a good sense of humor.

Patricia is survived by her husband, David, of Watertown SD;  son, Andrew Wicks (Casey Meier), Watertown, daughter, Elli (Joe) Haerter, Hosmer, SD with two grandchildren, Theodore & Henry; four sisters- Tammy (Craig) Williams, Susan (Brent) Fisher, Nancy (Dave Fenner) Lerew and Joell (Ed) Fischbach, as well as Dave’s brothers and their spouses and his sister Diane McAuliffe and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, Ted and Joy Lerew and one nephew, Jason Williams.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Watertown Area Swim Club, PO Box 601, Watertown, SD 57201.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti.

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