Patricia J. (Aarestad) Anderson

On Monday May 10, 2021, Patricia Jane (Aarestad) Anderson, 77, loving wife, mom, sister, aunt, and grandmother, passed away in Wausau, Wisconsin. Pat was born on March 26, 1944 in Halstad, Minnesota to Selmer and Marjorie (McDonald) Aarestad. She grew up on the farm in Halstad and graduated from Halstad High School in 1962. She enrolled at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota where she met her future husband Dale in biolab during the first week of classes. She graduated from St. Olaf College in 1966 with a degree in nursing. Dale and Pat were married on August 20, 1966 in Halstad. They spent several years in Nebraska before moving to Wisconsin and settling in Wausau in 1974.

Pat had a passion for caring for other people. She taught pediatric nursing at Nebraska Methodist Hospital School of Nursing. After moving to Wausau she volunteered for years with Mobile Meals, Wausau Hospital, and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. She made friends through all of her activities, and she loved keeping in touch with them. She also loved playing bridge both in Wausau and at her winter home in Florence, Arizona. She loved to travel with her kids and grandkids to Hawaii, Boston, New York City, Florida, and everywhere in between.

Pat was preceded in death by her father, Sam, and mother, Marge. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Dale, her daughter Kristen (Boston, MA), her son Eric, his wife Laura, and their children Claire, Kiera, and Samuel (Wausau, WI). She is also survived by her brothers, Brent (Maysie) Aarestad (West Fargo, ND) and Ryan (Mary) Aarestad (Emily, MN) and many loving nieces and nephews.

Private family services were held.

Memorials may be sent to Wausau Area Mobile Meals or Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com