Patricia Bliss

Patricia A. Bliss, age 100, of Wausau died Sunday, December 8, 2024, at Rennes Rehab Center in Weston.

Services will be held Wednesday, December 18, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 611 Stark St. in Wausau. Visitation begins at 9:30 AM, with a funeral Mass scheduled for 10:30.

Patricia (Pat) was born on Dec. 2, 1924, in Wausau, to the late Thomas and Petronella (Budreau) McCarthy. With her father dying at a young age, much of her upbringing was influenced by her siblings. She married John E. Bliss on November 10, 1945, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wausau.

She and John resided in Wausau most of their married lives, but in later years enjoyed winters at their condo in Scottsdale, AZ.

Pat was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend. She never forgot a holiday, birthday or anniversary, sending hand written cards to her extended family and friends. She met everyone with a smile, always had time to listen to people, young and old, and was never heard to say a bad word about another person.

She was an avid knitter, who, in her younger years, knit sweaters for all her newborn grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as many handsome Christmas sweaters for other family members. She was also known for her baking, often sending care packages of cookies to her grandchildren, as they prepared for college exams.

Pat was active her entire life, curling, golfing, playing tennis, bridge and reading. As she aged she turned to jazzercise and then water aerobics at the YMCA’s in Wausau, Weston and Scottsdale. She continued to attend classes well into her 90’s and was an inspiration to “younger” participants.

She volunteered her time, working in the Wausau hospital gift shop, with the Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and PTA.

Pat is survived by her children, Patricia Gehrke of Johns Creek, GA, Jack Bliss of Wausau and Barbara (Frederick) Frey of Sturgeon Bay, WI; 8 grandchildren, Charles (Tara Valente) Gehrke, Amy (Scott) Williams, Katie (Rhett) Husband, Vanessa (Owen Gray) Bliss, Bob (Tami) Bloch, Steven (Karianna) Frey, Jeffrey (Sara) Frey and Michael (Kelsey) Frey; and 22 great grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, John, 5 brothers, 1 sister, son-in-law, Charles Gehrke, and daughter-in-law, Sue Bliss.

The family wishes to thank the kind and caring staff at Primrose Retirement Village, where she resided the past 9 years. Thanks also to the staff at Rennes Re-Hab Center, who treated Pat with kindness, dignity and compassion in the final weeks of her life. The names are too lengthy to list, but the family thinks the staff will know who is being referenced.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the John & Pat Bliss Family Fund at the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, the Wausau Public Library or the charity of your choice.