Patricia Rae Byrka, age 87, passed away peacefully on Sunday June 16, 2019, at Hospice House, Wausau.
Pat was born on Feb. 21, 1932, the daughter of the late Joseph “Jersey” and Beatrice (Tuttle) Goldfine. She married Roman Byrka on Aug. 29, 1949, in Carlton, MN. He survives.
You didn’t need to be related to the always put-together, world-traveler to call her “Grandma Pat” or consider her family. Pat felt it important to invest in the people in her life. She was caring, always available, and an incredible listener. Her “Starbucks Family” was grateful to have spent many mornings with her. And her relatives are blessed with countless memories of their time traveling with her, especially trips to Door County and Florida.
It’s no wonder her favorite annual travel destination was Disney World in Florida as she embodied that childhood spirit and age never slowed her down. She loved spending time with her family in Minnesota as well and in her younger years she walked multiple times at the “Grandma’s Marathon” in Duluth, MN.
Her positive spirit and contagious energy will be missed by all.
She is survived by her husband, Roman; two children, David (Linda) Byrka and Gayle (Jeff) Kuklinski; six grandchildren, Staci (Christopher) Stack, Lindsay Byrka, Derek Byrka, Jocelyn (Jeremy) Walters, Brock (Michelle) Kuklinski, and Chaylen Kuklinski; six great-grandchildren, Charlotte Johnson & Ella Stack, Keegan & Kylee Walters, and Cordon & Carter Kuklinski; a brother, Harry (Peggy) Goldfine; and two sisters, Betty Carol Wilkinson and Nancy Martinson. Pat is preceded in death by her parents; two brother in-laws, Richard “Wilk” Wilkinson and Thomas Martinson; and grandson in-law, Louie Johnson.
A celebration of Pat’s life will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at Beste Funeral Home, Mosinee with a luncheon to follow at River Park, Hwy B, Mosinee. Online condolences can be made at www.bestefh.com
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Pat’s name to Animal Rescue/Humane Society of Marathon County. (7001 Packer Drive, Wausau, WI 54401)
The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Hospice House in Wausau, Dr. Peterson, Dr. Platta, and Dr. Gordon for the wonderful and compassionate care given to Pat.