Patti Renee Gaustad, age 62 of Bay City, died unexpectedly April 11, 2022 at her home. Patti was born on May 17, 1959 in Red Wing, Minnesota; the daughter of Lawrence and Gertrude (Klecker) Brenner. She attended elementary school in Maiden Rock prior to graduating from the Ellsworth High School in the class of 1977. During these years, she worked at Bees Café and Sonny’s Bar in Ellsworth.  She would be united in marriage on August 4, 1979 at Saint Francis Catholic Church to Michael Gaustad. This union would be further blessed by two children; Jason and Ashley. For 40 years, she worked in the insurance industry. She began with St. Paul Fire and Marine, which would grow and evolve into today’s Travelers Insurance. She worked with reinsurance, claims, and had a keen eye for the success of the business and how they could save money. Patti was awarded the prestigious Chairman‘s Award for her exemplary work.

Faith and family guided Patti. She was a devout member of Saint Francis Parish. She enjoyed volunteering and helping serve funeral lunches for church members. Family was most important to her, especially spending time with her grandchildren and fur babies. They always had one, if not two dogs. Patti enjoyed gardening and the most rewarding part was being able to share the fruits of her labor with family and friends. Tomatoes and buttercup squash always drew great anticipation as to their first pickings.

Patti was preceded in death by her parents, siblings; RoseMary Kubier, and Joan Larson. She is survived by her husband, Michael, their two children; Jason (Deliala) Gaustad, Ashley (Nicholas) Nelson, grandchildren; Clara Gaustad, Ellyse and Enoch Nelson, and Jane and Jewel Carleton; as well as siblings, Richard Brenner and Betty Gilbertson.

There will be a visitation on Monday, April 18th from 5PM – 7PM at the funeral home in Ellsworth.  Mass of Christian Burial for Patti Gaustad will be 11AM, Tuesday April 19th at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Ellsworth. Visitation will be one hour prior to the mass at St. Francis. Burial will be in the Clayfield Catholic Cemetery with active pallbearers being: Nicolas Nelson, Amy Gilbertson-Dodge, Rodney Kubier, Patrick Larson, Paul Fellman, Bryon Hoven, Glen Stumpf, and David Stuber. Honorary pallbearers: Clara Gaustad, Ellyse and Enoch Nelson, and Jane and Jewel Carleton.

A celebration of life to follow services at The Ridgetop.

Services are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ellsworth, www.oconnellfuneralservices.com, 715-273-4421