At the grand age of 91, Patricia “Pat” Bauer Burnett of Great Falls passed away peacefully on Friday, July 22, 2022, after having spent the evening surrounded by family. Services will be held on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel.
Pat was born on February 26, 1931, in Great Falls to Charles and Delphine Bauer. After graduating from Great Falls High School in 1948, she attended Montana State University where she met her husband, Dayle Burnett. She and Dayle were married in September 1950 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Great Falls. Pat graduated from MSU in June 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in animal industry.
Pat was a life-long learner and passionate about education. She took classes towards her teaching certificate from the College of Great Falls and studied medical terminology and transcription. She taught in the “Follow-Through” program at Longfellow and Emerson Schools from 1970 to 1981 and spent four years teaching preschool.
Pat and Dayle together raised five children. In the late 1980s she was pleased to have the opportunity to provide daycare for two of her grandchildren and a few other local kids.
Pat was devoted to her family. She loved family gatherings and embraced every opportunity to spend time with her kids, grandkids, extended family, and friends she considered family.
Pat enjoyed going to school, learning new things, music, dancing, reading, and playing bridge. Traveling was another favorite activity and she enjoyed traveling on five continents. She had a brilliant mind and was still winning games of Scrabble nearly right up to the time she went into Benefis Peace Hospice facility a week before she passed away.
Pat is survived by her sons and daughters, David (Mary) Burnett of Great Falls, Kathleen Burnett of Vancouver, WA, Karen (Greg) Jensen of Great Falls, Kristine (Dave) Motta of Salt Lake City, and Richard (Amy) Burnett of Anchorage; as well as grandchildren, Katiy (Eric Larson), Kevin, Roarke, and Breckyn Burnett, and Amanda and Stuart Motta. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dayle; her parents; and two brothers, Dan and Kenneth Bauer.
Donations may be made to Meals on Wheels of Cascade County or Peace Hospice.
