Patricia (Pat) (Tree) Fischer-Rager died peacefully Jan. 7 at her childhood home in Mokelumne Hill with her family by her side. She was 84. Pat was born in Stockton to Andrew & Genevieve Fischer on Feb. 15, 1931. She attended Mokelumne Hill elementary and Calaveras High School. As a child growing up she enjoyed helping her Dad on the family ranch, riding horses and chasing cattle. Her father insisted on Pat going to college so she attended the University of California, Berkeley and received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. In September of 1952 she married her college sweetheart Maury Rager. They began their family in 1954.

Pat raised her four children over the next several years, serving as a devoted wife, mother, Girl Scout leader & active parent in her children’s education. In 1970 she began her teaching career through a credential program in Greenfield, California and went on to teach 1st grade for 19 years at Alisal Union School in Salinas. She retired in 1991 and moved back to Calaveras County to be close to her family and once again help out on the family ranch.

Once retired, Tree provided preschool activities for her great nieces and nephew, did some substitute teaching and traveled abroad. She enjoyed visiting her four grandchildren, was active in the ladies nine hole golf club at La Contenta Golf Course and enjoyed playing bridge with the AAUW group. She and her husband Maury were also strong supporters of NAMI Gold Country, Pat serving as secretary for 15 years. Her very favorite activity was riding horseback to help her brother, sister-in-law and nephews round up cattle in the fall near Bear Valley.

Pat is survived by her daughters, Maureen Rager-McKinnon of Spokane, WA, Terri Rager of Mokelumne Hill, Jennifer Rager-Madariaga of Los Angeles, her son, Martin Rager of San Andreas and grandchildren, Jack McKinnon, Dan McKinnon, Ryan Madariaga and Bridgit Madariaga. She is also survived by her nephews, Mark Fischer, Matt Fischer, nieces Tammy Fischer-Blakely, Cara Phillips, Maura McFall and many great nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 11am, Monday, Jan. 18th at. St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 8398 Lafayette St., Mokelumne Hill. Memorial contributions would be appreciated for NAMI Gold Country and the Alzheimer’s Association, alz.org.