Patron in Weston to donate portion of proceeds to crash victim’s family

WESTON, Wis. (WSAW) - D.C. Everest High School held its graduation ceremony on Wednesday evening. It was a ceremony Emily Lewerenz and her family should have been celebrating, but instead, the school held a moment of silence before the ceremony.

Lewerenz, 18, and Danny Johnson Jr., 16, were passengers in a car that crashed Saturday near Kewaskum in the town of Farmington.

Patron Mexican Restaurant in Weston is stepping up to honor her and her memory while providing support to her family by donating 15% of sales from Monday through Thursday to Emily’s family.

Maria Villa, manager at Patron, said Emily was a positive person with an optimistic attitude.

“Everyone that knew her knew how she was I would say one in a million never met anyone like that in my life,” said Maria Villa, Manager, Patron Mexican Restaurant.

Emily was known for her artistic abilities but had many amazing talents.

“She was a very good singer. She actually just played Chicago a couple of weeks ago, her voice was like an angel,” Villa said.

Having recently turned 18, Emily wanted to expand her role at the restaurant. Always being a curious person, he expressed interest in wanting to learn how to bartend.

“She was a person you want to have around, the second she stepped in here everything just turned more beautiful, her energy was so pure, I wish we could have more people like her,” added Villa.

With her infectious smile, customers wanted Emily to be a part of their night.

Villa said, “It’s very hard, she meant a lot to me and to everyone in here.” She added that hearing customers ask for Emily to serve them is bittersweet knowing she had that much of an impact on people in the community.

Her final shift at Patron came last Thursday. Villa had no idea their goodbye that night would be their final farewell.

“She gave me a hug, and said, ‘I know I haven’t told you lately but I love you so much I’ll see you Monday,’ that was the last thing she said to me and I’m just going to keep her in my heart forever,” said Villa.

The restaurant will be closed Friday morning to allow staff to attend Lewerenz’s funeral. It will reopen Friday at 4 p.m.

Patron is located at 4403 Schofield Ave. in Weston.

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