From time-to-time, life likes to pull the rug out from underneath a person. But, sometimes life likes to pull out the rug HARD from underneath a person…and generally without warning. You fall flat on your back and feel paralyzed. You hurt in ways you never knew you could. Not only that, but you can’t breathe…you can’t get up. All you’re left to do is wonder, “How am I going to get through this? Where do I even begin? WHY did this happen?” On Wednesday, life pulled that rug out from under our entire family in a way that we never knew was even possible. The good Lord took our mom to be with Him, and we keep thinking over and over, “Why her? How is this fair to any of us that loved her?”

On Wednesday, December 16, 2020, Patricia Kay Bathke, age 67 of Wells, died from complications of a motor vehicle accident south of Minnesota Lake, MN.  Funeral services will be held Monday, December 21, 2020 at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, MN at 2:00 PM and the service will be Live Streamed from our Facebook page.  Visitation will be held Sunday, December 20 from 2:00-5:00 PM at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells.  Facemasks and social distancing will be practiced.  Please see brussheitner.com to leave online condolences.  Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is entrusted with arrangements.

Patricia Kay was born August 27, 1953 in St. James, MN, the daughter of John B. and Rosemary G. (Berg) Quiring.  She attended high school and graduated from Lake Crystal High School in 1971.  Pat worked as a United States Postal worker her whole career, retiring from the post office in Bricelyn, MN, after 37 years of service.  Patricia Kay Quiring met James Wayne Bathke while she was working at the Post Office in Frost, MN.  Jim tells the story that he went in for a stamp.  Yep, one stamp.  She sold him a Love stamp (he still has the stamp).  He asked her out and they were married April 23, 1983 in Lake Crystal, MN.

Our mom taught us so much during her time here on earth. One of the things she did teach us was that even though life isn’t always fair, it is what a person makes of it. She was diagnosed with MS over a decade ago and never once complained.  We are thankful that we had the best mom, mentor, and friend that a person could have asked for. We’re thankful our dad had the best wife he could have asked for whom always looked out for him. We’re thankful that the grandkids had the best grandma they ever could have asked for. We’re thankful she was so invested in her family and beyond thankful for how well she took care of us. We’re thankful for all the laughter, witty humor, fun, long talks, shopping trips, and wisdom she was able to share with us. We’re thankful she was always there to lend an ear to listen when we needed to talk: from the deep topics to the mundane day-to-day life. We’re thankful she was always there for us to tell us things would be ok. She was such a strong and determined woman who was blunt and outspoken when she had to be. She had a kind and nurturing heart, and for her stubbornness as she really stuck to her guns when she needed to. She taught us compassion and kindness. And we’re especially thankful that she taught us the importance of family. She was our rock. She loved her grandchildren more than anything, she thought about them constantly.

She is survived by her husband James Bathke of Wells, MN; three children:  John Bathke (Brandee Meyer) of Wells, MN; Jessie (Wes) Mortenson of Wells, MN and Jacob ( Karissa) Bathke of Minnesota Lake, MN.  5 grandchildren and two grandchildren on the way: Ellie, Reed, Henry, Layna, and Landon. Mother, Rosemary Quiring; siblings: Kathy, Judy, Mary, Mike, Nancy, and Angie.

She was preceded in death by her father and brother David.