Patricia "Patti" Joy (Bliven) Goralski

Patricia “Patti” Joy Goralski, 76, of Balsam Lake, WI, passed away at Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater, Minnesota with her loving family at her side and her last wish of seeing all her children and grandchildren fulfilled.

Patti was born on June 1, 1947, in Spooner, Wisconsin, the daughter of Floyd and Leone Bliven. Patti spent many summers in Door County, Wisconsin helping family by working in the cherry orchards. Door County always held a special place in her heart. The family later moved to Hewitt, Wisconsin where she graduated from Marshfield Senior High School in 1965.

Patti held various positions in her work career, but her greatest passion was taking care of the physically and mentally disabled. She worked in three different homes from 1999 until she was finally able to purchase her very first home and opened PJ’s Helping Hands in Balsam Lake, WI in 2015. Due to health reasons, she retired in 2022. She was very active in the Polk County Special Olympics events for many years. Even three weeks prior to her passing she helped coordinate and work the Special Olympics Bocce Ball Tournament in Milltown, WI.

Her true passion in life was her family, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She spent every minute she could enjoying them, their activities, and their lives.  She traveled to Mexico, Alaska, Georgia, Iowa, and Arizona to see or be with her family.

Patti is survived by her children, Lerena “Reenie” (Tom) Kolstad of Balsam Lake, WI, Ladaro “Larry” (Sandy) Gansch, of Altoona, IA, and Leo Goralski of Nashville, TN; grandchildren, John (Aimee) Stauber, Vail, AZ, Ryan Wells, Benjamin (Erica) Stauber, Balsam Lake, WI, Sarah Gansch, Ankeny, IA, Madalyn Kolstad (Kendrick McGahee), Stevens Point, WI, Holly (Brad) Warnke, Carroll, IA, Amy (Luke) Robinson, Irwin, IA, Kaitlin (Casey) Petersen, Boone, IA, Sara Beidler (Bryce) of Salem, OR; great-grandchildren, Levi, Oliver, Isaiah, Sianah, Nevaeh, Zuriah, Saint, Adaline, Kylie, Cora, Ashten, Dexter, Ivy and one due in February 2024; siblings, Joyce Charney, Sister Bay, WI, Ginger (George) Lawrie, Merrill, WI, Rick (Charlotte) Bliven, Knowlton, WI, Vicky (Larry) Post, Marshfield, WI. Special friends, Deanna and Heather Erickson and Nichole Nygard. Many nieces, nephews, and other loving family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Leone Bliven, siblings, Harley “Bud” (Myrna) Martin, Robert Martin, Betty (Eddie) Bliven, Jean (Clarence) Eckes, June (Harold) Overby, and Roger Charney. Grandson in infancy, Randy Wells.

A Celebration of Life for Patti will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. at Faith Lutheran Church in Balsam Lake with a visitation from 9:00 AM until the time of service.  Please join the family for lunch and fellowship in the church basement following the service.  Pastor Diane Norstad will officiate.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Polk County Special Olympics.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria, WI has been entrusted with arrangements.