Patrice “Pat” Bridget Stotesbery (Welsch), age 68, of La Crescent Minnesota passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 01, 2023.

Pat was born on August 20^th, 1955 to Robert and Joanne Welsch, in Prairie du Chien Wisconsin. She graduated from Prairie du Chien high school in 1973 and attended Western Wisconsin Technical Institute in La Crosse, where she studied Art. Pat spent most of her career working in healthcare, at Gunderson Lutheran Healthcare Systems as a pharmacy technician, in the orthopedic department and as a heath unit coordinator. She later worked at Bethany Lutheran Homes as a receptionist. She spent the last part of her career helping people when she worked at group homes in Onalaska and Brownsville.

As a child and young woman, Pat spent her formative years in Prairie du Chien, where she spent her time caring for and riding her horse, Cheyanne. She later moved to La Crosse, where she began her Art studies. Finally, she moved to La Crescent where she turned her attention to motherhood and raised her children, Ashley and Kyle. Pat loved horses and pigs, she enjoyed painting, visiting rummage sales or shopping with Ashley, going to the casino, fishing, and cinema. She loved going on trips with her family, and she was an avid follower of the Minnesota Vikings. She greatly valued her friendships with her closest friends Kristi Bahls, Tammy Haakenson, and Joyce Baumgartner, and the special and supportive relationship she had with her in-laws Jerry and Jeanine Stotesbery. But her greatest joys were in her family, and she was a wonderful and hard working mother for her children and a doting grandmother for her grandson, Bailey. She was also a loving sister and daughter, devoted to caring for and helping her parents.

Pat was a kind and generous person, always willing to help family or friends in need. She had a soft heart and was very appreciative of her loved ones. She had many stories to tell, and wrote exceptionally detailed and thoughtful cards. When writing texts, she tended to apply the same level of effort, leaving some of her communications feeling more like novels. She spent time working with the Crucifixion Council of Catholic Women, where she served food and provided services for church events. She was fervent in her catholic faith, and in her belief of god, and she practiced daily prayer, wherein she always included other people in need. She had been a member of the Crucifixion Catholic Church of La Crescent where her children attended catholic school.

Pat is survived by her mother Joanne Welsch, her son Kyle Stotesbery, her grandson Bailey Alyn Jacobson, and her daughter Ashley Stotesbery (Ross). She is also survived by her sister Lesley Just (John), niece Jessica Lemke (Rollie), Jessica’s children Jade and Lily, her niece and goddaughter Taylor Just (Nate), her nephew Ryan Just (Heather) and his children Leela and Ellie, her brother Dan Welsch, and his children Christopher and Joshua Welsch, her nephew Enrico Welsch (Patricia) and her sister-in-law Mary Pervenanze (Thomas).

Pat was preceded in death by her father Robert Welsch, her brother Thomas Welsch, and her daughter Kimberly Kay Stotesbery

Pat’s family would like to thank Officers Amy Gehrke and Cody Bellock, La Crescent first responders Brent Thesing, Chris Fruechte, Braedon Kerska, Gunderson tri-state ambulance, Jessica and Lorren, and Coulee Cremation Joe Schams for their professionalism and compassionate care. They would also like to thank their family and friends for all of their support.

Funeral services will be held at Crucifixion Catholic Church in La Crescent, on Saturday October 14^th, 11 AM with visitation at Crucifixion Church at 10 AM until time of service, with officiant Father Joe Schneider.  Interment will be held at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Hokah, Minnesota.

I prayed for angels to guard over you night and day.

I prayed they would hover and keep harm away.

If you hear the swish of wings or feel a gentle touch,

I know God heard my prayer today and loves you very much.