Patricia C. Gunderson

June 29, 1937 – February 23, 2026

Patricia C. Gunderson, 88, passed away on February 23, 2026, surrounded by family. She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, and friend who lived her life selflessly caring for others.

Pat spent her childhood in South Milwaukee. After her father died at a young age, she quickly became the resilient and independent woman we all knew her to be. As a young woman, she initially wanted to be a nun and joined the convent. Meeting her husband Tom through her sister Marilyn made her realize that she had a greater calling to have her own family. Pat frequently shared fond memories of her and Tom's early days living on base at Fort Hood, Texas, while she was pregnant and he was serving in the military. Shortly after giving birth to their eldest, the two moved to Raymond, Wisconsin, where they would settle down and start their family.

To support her family, Pat worked at a hula hoop factory, a mink farm, Western Printing, and in the mailroom at Case, where she made many lifelong friends. She loved to reminisce about her most exciting job as a school bus driver for over 30 years; she became a local legend among the kids who had the privilege of riding her bus. Her most fulfilling job, however, was being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Pat enjoyed weekly bingo with friends at the casino when she was younger and in the kitchen with her family as she grew older. She held dear her many trips "Up North" with extended family and her many conversations with neighbors and friends at her kitchen table, where she provided comfort, a listening ear, and a laugh or two. Gathering people together and cooking meals for loved ones brought Pat immense joy—almost as much as cleaning the dirty dishes afterward. She would always say, "Nobody else can do it good enough."

On the rare occasion Pat would allow herself to relax, she would play solitaire, solve crossword puzzles,

or sit in the sun on the deck she built, watching the cars go by while looking over the lawn she manicured to perfection.

Pat always had a sarcastic sense of humor and loved to joke or get a smile out of someone. She was friendly and outgoing, even towards strangers. Everywhere she went, she couldn't resist the urge to place her hand on someone's shoulder and tell them: "Don't look for those golden years." To her, this meant growing old isn't for the weak; take advantage of your youth and independence while you have it.

Pat is preceded in death by many loved ones, including her husband, Thomas Gunderson. She is survived by her children, Kathy (Stuart), Billy, and Tracy; her grandchildren, Aaron (Skye), Adam, Shelby (Nolan), Zachary (Paige), and Nathan (Chase); and her great-grandchild, Lennon. She is also survived by her sister, Marilyn Niemann; brother-in-law, Robert Gunderson; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends who loved her.

Pat will be missed dearly.

In lieu of flowers, the family desires to hear any fond memories you may have of Patricia throughout her lifetime.

Visitation will be held at Miller-Reesman Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 10 from 3:30 pm -5:30 pm. Prayer service will begin at 5:30 pm.