15 Things You Might Not Know About Me: Patty Schachtner

Editor's Note: '15 Things You Might Not Know About Me' is part of DrydenWire’s 2020 election coverage. Each Thursday, we will feature a different candidate for this segment to publish. That candidate will also appear as our guest on Meet The Candidate, a special edition of DrydenWire Live! the following morning (Friday) at 8:30a on our Facebook page with a recording later published on YouTube.

This week's '15 Things You Might Not Know About Me', features Patty Schachtner. Patty is a member of the Wisconsin State Senate, representing District 10. She assumed office on February 20, 2018 and is running for reelection.

15 Things You Might Not Know About Me: Patty Schachtner

1. As a child, we used to hunt for our food with my dad. We learned from our parents very young that we could grow and gather our own food.
2. I used to own a wedding consultant business! I took online classes to get my certification, taught myself how to decorate cakes by using our local library, and learned floral design at WITC as a way to enhance our business. 
3. WITC has been an important part of my life. My parents, all of my siblings, my husband and all 6 of our children have utilized the technical school throughout our lives.
4. I was a certified farm rescue instructor. I taught fire and EMS workers how to respond to accidents involving farm equipment. For example, you have to take the equipment apart but with ag machinery, sometimes a wrench will suit the situation better than the jaws of life.
5. Like our parents, we taught our children that public school education was our introduction to the arts. This is where we were introduced to band, choir, plays, painting, weaving, drawing. For many, this is where our passion is found with multiple opportunities in the arts.
6. The lakes of Northwestern Wisconsin have always played an important role in my life. Growing up in St Croix county, my family always encouraged me to become a steward of our national resources. We went fishing on Bass Lake with my grandfather and a cane pole. We grew up water skiing, snowmobiling, and horseback riding in the area.
7. I was raised to always take pride in your work no matter what the job. I have had various jobs over the years to make ends meet: chicken packer and sexer at a local hatchery, bartender, cook, daycare staff, manufacturing worker, retail staff, and a baker.
8. We were raised in a 4H family. It was a great way to grow up and a great opportunity to learn about leadership and education. My parents were 4H leaders and also grandparent leaders. Joe and I were 4H leaders also.
9. My family and I were on the show Wifeswap, and that show gave us an opportunity we didn’t see coming. Most people do not know Joe had his first heart attack months after the show aired.  We had a high deductible Joe was out of work for months and suffered a second heart attack. Had it not been for that show we would have been financially devastated. That show was an opportunity that allowed Joe to recover without the stress of financial worry.  I know how difficult facing medical expenses can be, and I am always working to make sure people can recover and thrive without hoping for a lucky break.
10. My parents always raised us to help where needed. Growing up. there was always a bed for someone in need and my parents often brought people in to stay when they needed. My mom would say, “Just add more noodles and another potato and we have enough food for everyone.” 
11. My grandmother immigrated here from Canada as a young woman who did not speak English. She taught herself to speak and read English. She considered becoming an American Citizen to be her greatest achievement. She always shared her culture and language with us. Being raised in a bilingual family was a wonderful experience.
12. We have 12 grandchildren but unlike most grandparents, we don't buy them presents. We focus on creating memories with them instead.
13. I have loved reading books most of my life. I try to read one book each month on various topics. Currently, I am reading Autism: A Family Lives Beyond the Label, The Lindsey Moreland Story by local writing family Lindsey, Lauri, Todd, and Brittany Moreland. It is a compelling look at a real family's experience with autism.
14. I used to show horses in a Driving class! My Grandfather taught me how, and I loved showing horses so much that I got my kids into it. We even planted trees in our backyard just to use them for pole bending practice.
15. Joe and I are high school sweethearts. We met in Jr high in 1972 when we were assigned as locker buddies and became friends.