Patricia B. Gaustad

Patricia Boit Gaustad, 98, died peacefully at her residence, Lake Shore Inn in Waseca, MN, in the care of Lake Shore Inn Staff and Mayo Hospice-Waseca.

She was born at St. Ansgar’s Hosp., Moorhead, MN, February 28, 1915 to Louis and Antoinette (Cancelliere) Boit.  She graduated Dilworth H.S. in 1933 and attended Moorhead State Teacher’s College. She worked in her family’s grocery and liquor stores and was self-employed as a dance instructor beginning in the late 1920’s. She taught in schools, public-housing projects in Bremerton WA, Madison, WI, & St. Paul, MN; YWCA’s in Fargo, ND and St. Paul, MN, private classes in Fergus Falls, MN and as one of the first Recreational Therapists at the Fergus Falls State Hospital.  She worked for the City of St. Paul Recreation Dept. from the late 1950’s to retirement in 1980.  Pat was a member of Chicago Dance Masters’, flying there in the 1930’s to take Master Classes with Gene Kelly among other Master-Teachers. She was State Supervisor for The Chicago Dance Masters for the States of ND and WA; -a long time member of MRPA; Moss Back Club, active in the MRPA Retirees mtgs., Board Member of the Fargo and St. Paul YWCA’s; a long time volunteer with the Winfield Foundation & Scholarship Program which provided health clinics and baseball tickets to children; other community volunteer programs throughout her life including Girl Scouts, United Way; dance scholarships whenever needed and was WCCO Good Neighbor (May 1994) thanks to Bev and pals.  In her retirement she was happy to family and house-sit for two special families on various occasions.  She moved from her longtime home in St. Paul to Waseca’s Latham Place Assisted Living in 2005 and to Lake Shore Inn in 2010.

She married S.Sgt. Raynard Gaustad, September 1, 1945, in Springfield, MO at the home of Ray’s uncle. Pat was proud of Ray’s WWII Service where he was the Veterinary Food Inspector for five Divisions, and of his sales-career with Armour & Co. in positions that had him set up the first frozen-food programs for Armour traveling to St. Louis & Philadelphia.  She was very proud, and supportive, of her husband’s military service and Armour career.

Pat and Ray survived the 1915 flu-epidemic, the Depression and WWII. They learned the value of hard work, persistence, reliability, optimism and pride in their work.

Pat is predeceased by her parents (1960),  her husband (1981),  a still born child (1954), a brother, James Boit and his wife, Margaret Hagen; by sisters: Rose Knoll & Marian Mills and their husbands, Andrew Knoll and Cliff Mills; a sister in childhood, Teresa;  brother’s in-law: Kenneth Masters, Joe Tix , Walter Becker,  & nephew, J.P. Masters.

Surviving, to cherish and honor her life and memory, are her daughter, Patricia Rae (Wm.) Hoversten, grand-daughter, Karin (Paul) Wandersee; step-great granddaughter, Liz; sisters Camille Becker, Gladys Masters & Lorraine Tix, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, very good friends Nora, Bev, Steve, The Birthday Club, many other genuine friends including staff at Latham Place and Lake Shore Inn.

She is remembered as being, (like her parents and siblings)  generous to friends and family, optimistic, happy, ecumenical, egalitarian, an avid reader, excellent cook, great conversationalist, infectious laugh and a genuine friend to all who truly brightened our day.

These are quotes that describe the essence of her being:
“We must find time to… thank the people who make a difference in our lives.” Rob’t Kennedy
“When you drink from the well, remember the well digger.”  Chinese Proverb
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened”. Dr. Seuss
“To Pat   I love you for all you’ve done for me, my family and the St. Paul Community!"  D. Winfield HOF 2001
   
If you wish, Pat would be honored to have her life and work celebrated through a gift to your favorite charity, or to the Multiple Sclerosis Upper Midwest Chapter for Research, 200 12th Ave. So., Mpls.,  MN 55415 (www.mssociety.org); to your local library;  to the Winfield Scholarship Foundation, 1933 A Fox Ridge Dr., West St. Paul, MN 55118 or The Capistrant Parkinson’s Center at Bethesda Hospital (www.healtheast.org)

The family would like to thank everyone who made her life so fun and interesting, especially, her co-workers, and the professional, caring, dedicated staff at Latham Place, Lake Shore Inn, and Mayo Health System-Waseca Physicians, Staff and Hospice who graciously got used to, and hopefully, appreciated her sense of humor and advice.

A memorial service and gathering of friends and family will be held at 1:30 PM on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at the Unity Church Unitarian in St. Paul, Minnesota.  The church’s contact information, address, driving directions, and parking information may be found at www.unityunitarian.org.

Written memories and anecdotes, may be sent to the family at 820 5th Ave. N.E. Waseca, MN 56093 or via the website here.

“I’m fine. ‘Miss you all. .. Love, Pat”

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