Patricia (Patty) Elaine Veitenheimer (Gothier) began her journey to the spirit world on March 2nd, 2026. Patty was a tribal member of Red Lake Nation, and was 63 years old. She is survived by Troy, her loving husband of 40 years, and her three children Meg (Dani), Jane (Griffin), and Grant (Annie). She was an enthusiastic grandmother to Jane and Griffin’s two young children, Levon and Niles, whom she called her “lovies.” She loved nothing more than quality time with family. She was the middle child of eleven, and is survived by siblings Greg, Susan, Lisa, Rick, Mike, Tom, Tim, and Robert. She is survived by Troy’s siblings (Scott, Todd, Ross, Julie, Blake, Amy, Beth, and Chad), alongside nieces, nephews, and a long list of friends whom she adores.

Greeting her to the spirit world are many, including her mother, (Margaret Gothier), father, (William Gothier) grandmothers (Gertrude Gillespie) and (Anna Gothier), brothers (Gary and David), and nephews (Christopher and Jorgan).

Patty was born in Minneapolis and lived the first five years of her life near Powderhorn Park. Her family then moved to Fairhaven, MN where she shared fond memories of climbing trees, fishing with her brother, and roasting hot dogs over the fire with her siblings. As a teenager, her family moved to Fergus Falls, where at 16 years of age she met the love of her life, Troy, whom she married at twenty-three. After bringing their three children into the world, they lived internationally in both Australia and Sweden. Patty was always so amazed and deeply grateful that life had brought her to such beautiful places!

Patty was an educator, a bird watcher, a lover of biking and cross-country skiing, and an avid reader. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, friend, and community member. A teacher of literacy, she spent many years working alongside the Native American Education Program with Bloomington Public Schools, and received her Master’s Degree in Education. She was passionate about her work, and believed in the power of accessible literacy, storytelling, and community.

A Celebration of Life will be held on March 25th, at St. Joan of Arc Church in Minneapolis. Visitation at 10am, with the service beginning at 11am. 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either NABS (National Native America Boarding School Healing Coalition) http://www.boardingschoolhealing.org/donate/ or Gilda’s Club https://gildasclubmn.org/donate/