Patricia Gottsch

Patricia Lynn Gottsch was born on November 28, 1950 in Pittsburg, California to Bill and Rebecca (Yenter) Cate. Pat was the middle child of older sister Kathy & younger brother, Richard. Being a part of a military family, she lived in California, Germany, then spent most of her childhood in LaVernia, Texas. One last move brought her to Nebraska where she would graduate from Papillion High School.

Through mutual friends, she met Dick Gottsch. The two were married on February 27,1971. They spent their life living on the family farm in Springfield where they raised four children- Jennifer, Deanna, Kerri and Daniel. 

Pat was a farm wife, learning alongside her mother-in-law the responsibilities of supporting their farmers. She was a homemaker who never missed her kids’ activities and could be heard cheering loudly at any sporting event. She volunteered throughout the community and was heavily involved with the Springfield Legion Auxiliary spending countless hours serving seniors & supporting veterans. Pat also spent many years on the Sarpy County Election Board. 

In her younger years Pat was active and social, playing volleyball, soccer and bowling in the Papio Thursday night league. Reading, crossword & soduko puzzles with a cup of coffee or tea were favorite pastimes. Dick and Pat enjoyed many card parties, playing schafskopf with a group of great friends. She built a beautiful life in Nebraska, but was truly a Texan at heart. La Vernia was home to her parents, grandparents & her beloved sister, Kathy & her family. It was always a reunion of friends, family & Texas style celebration when she was able to visit. She adored her many nieces and nephews and was fortunate to attend the October wedding of her great niece in Corpus Christi. 

Pat is survived by her husband Dick; daughter, Jennifer Gottschof Brooksville, FL; Deanna Engberg of Springfield, NE, Kerri (Seth) Porter of Gretna, NE; Daniel Gottsch of Springfield, NE; grandchildren; James (Lauren) Engberg of Springfield, NE, Alexis Engberg of Lubbock, TX; Ella, Emory and Bowen Porter; great-grandchildren Sawyer and Isla Engberg; brother Richard Cate; brother-in-law Gary (Karen) Gottsch, sister-in-law Marcy Stern and many nieces and nephews.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Rebecca Cate; sister Kathy Freeman; brother-in-law Billy Wayne Freeman; father-in-law Lyle Gottsch; mother-in-law Alice Gottsch; brother-in-law Jim Stern.

The Gottsch Family wishes to thank you for the many expressions of care and concern. Your love was felt by Pat as we shared all messages, cards and gifts with her. She read through roughly 70 cards as we celebrated her 74th birthday on Thanksgiving.