Patricia Fae (Skola) Metter was welcomed into the arms of the Lord on Sept. 26, 2024 after a brief illness. She was 88.

Born on July 21, 1936 to Walter and Geneva Adams, Patricia had a life filled with music, gospel and adventure. She grew up in Big Falls, Wis., though she spent time in Three Lakes as a child while her father worked as a chef at the former Northernaire Resort. She was a natural born and self-taught musician who began playing piano and organ at a young age, launching a career as a teacher, composer and church leader that spanned decades.

She graduated at the top of her class from Marion High School and worked at a dairy farm before leaving Big Falls for a new life in Milwaukee. It was in Milwaukee, working at Allen Bradley and attending the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, that she met her first husband, Frank J. Skola, Jr. The couple had four children together and though they eventually divorced, they remained close friends and confidants until Frank's death in 2007.

While living in Milwaukee, Patricia sang in the Allen Bradley Orchestra and Chorus, performing at venues throughout the country, and she eventually worked as a church organist at St. Anne's Catholic Church. In 1970, the family moved to Wausau.

Patricia gave the gift of music to countless students, teaching piano until she was well into her 70s. She served as church organist and director of music at multiple churches in Wausau and later in the northwoods including St. Stephen Lutheran Church, St. John Episcopal Church, St. Mark's Lutheran and at Ascension Lutheran in Minocqua, and played for weddings, funerals and services at nearly every parish in the Wausau area. She was a proud member of the American Guild of Organists and the Wausau Writer's Club, composing original music and arrangements as well as beautiful poetry and stories. She performed as a solo artist at venues across Wisconsin and was the regular Friday night entertainer at the former Claridge Inn in Rhinelander in the late 1980s and early 1990s. We will always remember her beautiful alto voice and her unrivaled talent on keyboards.

Above all, her faith in God was central to her life, and she continued to listen faithfully to services at Zion Lutheran Church even after she was no longer physically able to attend.

On March 20, 1982 Patricia married William "Bill" Metter at St. Thomas of Canterbury Church in Greendale. The couple lived in the Milwaukee area before moving to Rhinelander and eventually relocating to Wausau. During their years together, they made many precious memories, taking several cruises and journeys together including trips to Triniadad and Tobago. In Trinidad, she presented a concert at the Naparima Bowl in San Fernando to raise funds for a church. The concert was attended by hundreds of people including the former president of Trinidad. Patricia loved spending time at their cottage on Brown Lake, north of Rhinelander, where she and Bill enjoyed the beauty of nature, the sound of loons calling, the sun on their shoulders and spending time on the water. She was proud of the fact that she water skied on her 70th birthday, and loved taking ballroom dancing lessons later in life. Patricia had a soft spot for animals and cherished her dogs and cats, and loved nothing more than spending time at home surrounded by her furry friends.

Patricia lost Bill to Covid on Feb. 10, 2022. In addition to her parents and her husband, Patricia was preceded in death by her daughter Krista (Skola) Salas, who passed away in April 2022.

She is survived by her devoted sister, Ann Adams, of Wausau; her son, David Skola (Lori Napstad), of Wausau; daughters Wendy Skola (Dave Ermeling) of Big Falls; and Shereen Siewert (Darren) of Wausau. She is further survived by her three grandchildren, Rowan Flynn, Devon Flynn (Linda) and Aidyn Dorzok, and her step-granddaughter Megan Hibbard (Danny Cruz Castro) all of whom she loved with all her heart. She was looking forward to welcoming her first great-grandchild in November.

For the past several months, the family has been blessed with phenomenal caregivers from Marshfield Medical Center-Weston, Cornerstone Caregiving, Benedictine Living Community and Compassus Home Health and Hospice. We are eternally grateful for your kindness and support.

A service is planned for Patricia on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Zion Lutheran Church, 709 Sixth St. Wausau. Visitation will be held starting at 11 a.m. with a service at 1 p.m. A reception will follow at Angelo's Family Pizzeria, 1206 N. Sixth St., Wausau. All who knew or were touched by Patricia are welcome to attend and share your memories and stories with the family.

Psalm 71:23. My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto Thee; my soul, which Thou hast redeemed.

Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting family at this time.  Online condolences may be expressed at MWCS.WS