Patricia Lorraine Saari (nee Gregory) was born in Ontonagon on April 8, 1954 to Virginia and David Gregory. She was the fifth child of six in a busy household. The Gregory kids grew up on Noble Road alongside many playmates and family friends like the Thompson family. Patty attended school at Ontonagon Elementary and eventually graduated high school from Ontonagon Area High School in 1972. She used to remember her office occupations class, chorus and her intramural G.A.A. (Girls' Athletic Association) times fondly, particularly her team, the "Charlie Brown Good-Griefs."

Patty married the love of her life, Robert John (Bobby) Saari on October 27, 1973. They had one child, their daughter Karen Michelle on May 15, 1974. They purchased their Mass City home in East Branch in 1977, and would reside there for the rest of their lives. "Two peas in a pod," they loved, laughed, bickered and shared an unbreakable bond even beyond Bobby's sudden passing in March 2012.

Patty "had to wait 37 years," but she became a loving grandmother to Maxwell Allen Saari-Pausch in 2011. She was shocked and thrilled and loved playing the role of grandmother. In November 2012, she became grandmother again, this time to Virginia Florence Saari-Pausch, who was named after Patty's mother. Karen's family lives in Madison, but Patty's presence as "Grandma Patty" was always with them.

A hard worker, Patty worked as a C.N.A. at Maple Manor Nursing Home for about 25 years. She loved taking care of the seniors there. She also enjoyed a special camaraderie with her co-workers. From dressing up in zany Halloween outfits with her friends Jan and others, to mourning the loss of their beloved friend June, to sharing stories with her friend Karen, she left her mark on the lives of her work friends and the seniors who resided there.

One of Patty's most important life roles has been that of sister. She is survived by David (Alli) Gregory of Ontonagon, Barbara (Richard) Kauss of Salt Lake City, Bonnie (d. Mike) Potvin of White Pine, and Colleen (Kenneth) Saari of Winona. They all stood by each other's sides and supported each other throughout their lives, and held together during difficult times like the passing of their brother Jerry in 1975, their parents David in 1986 and mother Virginia in 1998, and her nephew (Colleen's son) Jeffrey in 2004. Patty is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews whom she adored, both on the Gregory and Saari sides of her family.

Patty was a loving and caring mother always to her only child. She is survived by her daughter, Karen Saari (married to David Pausch) and grandchildren Max and Ginny, who reside in Madison, Wisconsin.

A visitation will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Mass City from 2-4 p.m. on Monday, September 8, followed by a funeral at 4 p.m. to be officiated by family friend Jeannie Manning. A burial service will follow at Woodland Cemetery in Winona. Anyone is welcome to share memories of Pat during services, or to jot one down for the "memory jar" which will be provided.