Patricia Kay (Gillitzer) Prochaska

Patricia K. “Pat” Prochaska, age 76 of Prairie du Chien passed away Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at UW Health Hospital in Madison, WI. She was born on August 26, 1946, the daughter of Bernard and Marcella (Jaynes) Gillitzer. Pat grew up in Prairie du Chien where she met Joseph Prochaska. Pat and Joe were married on April 8, 1967, at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church. Together, they raised their 4 children locally. Pat worked as an activities director at the convalescent center and as a teacher’s aide at both B.A. Kennedy and Bluffview Intermediate Schools. Then she worked as director of religious education for the Holy Family Parish in Prairie du Chien until retirement. Pat was a loving mother and grandmother and a devout Catholic. She is survived by her husband of 56 years Joe; their children Angela (Dale) Kusmitch, Jennifer Bettin, Dorene Pawlowski, and Kevin (Jessica) Prochaska; 7 brothers Bernard, Michael (Geri), Gregory (Rose), Neil (Yvonne), Bruce (Judy), Gerald, and Glen (Christa) Gillitzer, 5 sisters Cheryl (Richard) Ryan, Bernice (Roy) Swanke, Mary Jane (Mark) Mezera, Emily (Richard) Waller, and Beth (Greg) Mezera; 15 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Norman Gillitzer, son-in-law Jim Pawlowski, and sister-in-law Joan Gillitzer. Pat’s fondest memories were spending time with her children on her childhood farm and teaching CCD students the Catholic faith.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Gabriel’s Church of the Holy Family Parish, Msgr. Charles Stoetzel officiating with burial in the Calvary Cemetery, both in Prairie du Chien. Friends may call at church on Wednesday from 9:00 A.M. until the time of Mass. 

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