Patricia Struck

MADISON - Patricia D. Struck passed away on Sunday, December 20, 2015. She was a wonderful wife and mother, as well as a distinguished attorney and public servant.

Patty was born March 8, 1952, the daughter of George L. Struck and Mary (Davey) Struck, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

She served for many years as the Commissioner and then Administrator of Securities in the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. She also served in many roles for the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), becoming only the second Wisconsin attorney to serve as President of NASAA in 2006. In that role, Patty testified before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging on March 29, 2006. In addition, she served as a Trustee of the national non-profit Investor Protection Trust from 1996 - 2004. In 2006, Patty was awarded NASAA's highest honor, "One Cubic Foot of Kansas Blue Sky."

Patty also served in many capacities for the State Bar of Wisconsin, serving as Chair of the Business Law Section from 1994-96, on its Board of Governors from 2009-11 and as Chair of the State Bar Board of Governors in 2011-12. Patty also served on the State Bar's Multidisciplinary Practice Commission. She earned the President's Award from the State Bar in 2012. She was elected to the Fellows of the Wisconsin Bar Foundation in 2013. She also served as a member of the Wisconsin Podiatrists Examining Council from 1994 -98.
Patty also served on the House of Delegates of the American Bar Association (ABA) from 2013 until her death as well as an appointment to the ABA Commission on Law and Aging (2014 -). She was elected to the Fellows of the American Bar Association in 2011, serving as its Wisconsin State Chair from 2012 2014.

She was a graduate of Mount Holyoke College of South Hadley, MA (1974) and the University of Wisconsin Law School (1977). She was also a graduate of the National Graduate Trust School at Northwestern University (1981). She served as visiting lecturer at the University of Wisconsin Law School, teaching Securities Law, and was a prolific public speaker.

Patty leaves behind her grieving husband of 36 years, 3 months and 12 days, Lawrence E. Bechler, and her three sons, Thomas C. Bechler of Madison, Stephen D. Bechler of Crystal Lake, IL and Jonathan K. Bechler of Evansville, WI. She is also survived by her mother Mary Struck and her sisters, Mary D. Struck (Kathy Barzen), of Centennial, CO and Kathy S. Trotter (James) of Elm Grove, WI, and her sister-in-law, Barbara B. Flynn (Edward J.), of Carmel, IN, as well as 3 nephews, Patrick J. Flynn (Alexandra), Bradley D. Trotter and Kevin J. Flynn, one niece, Margaret T. Dahlquist (David) and two twin grand-nieces (Marie and Caroline Flynn). She was preceded in death by her father, George Struck, in 2003.

In addition to her professional attainments, Patty was also a member of TEMPO Madison, serving on its board of directors, Madison Downtown Rotary Club, Madison Ballet, serving on its board of directors, the National Society of Colonial Dames of America, the Jane Austen Society of North America, Historic Madison, Four Lakes Council Boy Scouts of America, serving on its Board of Directors and the Winds of Southern Wisconsin (a recorder playing group), as well as several vibrant book groups. From watching many, many or her sons' Little League games, she became an avid Milwaukee Brewers fan.

Patty was caring, compassionate and a consummate professional in everything she did. She was absolutely the best spouse and mother anyone could hope to have, and her death leaves a very large hole in everyone's heart. Her sons left a moving tribute on her Facebook page, and suggest, in lieu of flowers, donations to any of the following organizations: the MDS Foundation, Glacier's Edge Council Boy Scouts of America, Historic Madison, the Madison Ballet, Mount Holyoke College, and the UW Law School.

A funeral service is scheduled to be held on January 9, 2015, at 1 pm at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 1833 Regent Street, Madison, Wisconsin. A reception will follow. The family encourages you to share your memories of Patty at www.CressFuneralService.com .

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
(608) 238-3434