Patricia “Patsy” Josephine (Miller) Bruyette

Patricia “Patsy” Josephine (Miller) Bruyette, age 90, passed away peacefully at home on June 30, 2026 surrounded by her large and loving family.

Born in Rhinelander on April 14, 1936, to Lawrence and Genevieve (Bliss) Miller, Patricia was raised on the family farm off Lassig Road. Her youth was shaped by those she loved; inheriting her father’s physical strength, while her mother gifted her with wisdom. She was “schooled” by her beloved grandmother, Addie, who taught her the skills of womanhood, including sewing, knitting, crocheting, and tatting. Her life on the farm included milking cows early each morning before heading to school. She was involved with the riding stable/club and enjoyed riding her own horses.

She met Leonard “Louie” Bruyette in high school, and was perplexed that a handsome athlete like Louie would pursue her. She graduated in the Top 10 of her class from Rhinelander Union High School in 1954. On July 31, 1954, wearing a wedding dress she and her grandma made together, Patricia and Leonard were wed at St. Mary’s Church in Rhinelander. They danced to polkas and waltzes at their reception on the family farm, and continued to dance together throughout their marriage. They honeymooned traveling around Lake Superior. 

Patricia stayed home to raise eight children, using her talents to make clothing, create Halloween costumes, decorate the house for every holiday, bake from-scratch birthday cakes, crochet dolls and afghans. She managed the bookkeeping for the family excavating business. She taught herself to play guitar and was known for singing to all her grandkids, or breaking into a song that fit every situation. 

Patricia took pride in her beautifully mowed lawn, flower gardens, trees, pond, and a bountiful vegetable garden. Together, the family made maple syrup. She and Len spent time snowmobiling, playing horseshoes, and traveling by car across the United States. She was also an avid pool player, played softball, and rode horseback at age 80.

Her greatest joy came with the arrival of her grandchildren. For them, she enhanced her beautiful backyard to create endless fun with a playhouse, trampoline, and swing set. To her grandkids, nieces, and nephews, “Grandma” or “Aunt Pat” wasn’t just a person — she was everyone’s version of “home,” offering love, security, and acceptance. From jukebox music in the basement to playing pool, board games, and crafts, her home will always be remembered as a fun place to be. She “adopted” anyone who needed a parent or grandparent. She attended every sporting event and school program for every grandkid, saved newspaper clippings, provided rides, and endlessly babysat. As they grew older, she loved family game nights with them, especially playing Password.

In her downtime, she was a passionate genealogist, pursuing details of generations past. She visited libraries and courthouses to unearth records, eventually tracing ancestors back to their arrival at Ellis Island, and neatly organized numerous letters, postcards, and photos into dozens of family albums she was deeply proud of.

Patricia is survived by her children: Roxane, Rachel, Pauline, Audrey (Scott), Jolene (Kevin), Lance, and Christopher (Jean); daughter-in-law Julie; son-in-law Rob; sister Bliss (Dick); and sister-in-law Kathy. She is the cherished grandmother of Patrick, Sierra, Justin, Savannah, Nathan, Jonny, Kalon, Jade, Aaron, Kianna, Samantha, Lance, Addison, Mitchell, Shannon, Cortney, Phillip, Mariah, Makala; along with Gage, Ernest, and Celeste, whom she adopted in her heart. She leaves behind great-grandchildren: Bryce, Sean, Jayden, Vera, Marigold, Dawson, Skyler, Madison, Kaeden, Konner, Karsen, Lillie, and Lauren; and great-great-grandchild, Evelyn. 

She leaves behind several special friends, including Ray, Charlotte, Kathy, Mike. Each of them touched her life and she treasured their friendship. Charlotte, a Native American, is Nishiime ”sister” to Patricia, and gave her an Ojibwe name, “Ozhaawashko” which means Blue Sky Woman. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brother, David; and her son, Lawrence. The person she wanted to see first at the gates of Heaven was her son, Lawrence. 

A celebration of life will be held from 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, August 9, as an open house/yard/pond visitation at the Bruyette home, 5877 U.S. Hwy 8. Please contact Jolene Kopplin or any family member if you would like to help. 

In her honor, we will share plants from her property. Visitors are asked to bring a container and a small spade or shovel. In lieu of gifts, please plant a flower or tree in her memory in your favorite place and think of her when you visit. Please post photos of your plantings on her Facebook page.