Elane P. "Pat" Gutschow

Elane Patricia “Pat” Gutschow, age 87 years of Niles, Michigan, wife, mother, grandmother, lover of animals and her family and friends died at 1:35 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2020 at Spectrum Lakeland Medical Center – Saint Joseph, Michigan following a brief illness.

She was born on April 7, 1932 in Niles to Dewey and Fern (Esterly) Pollock, and was graduated from Niles High School.  She was employed for many years at the former Niles store of Montgomery-Ward, Inc., and served as a private hire home healthcare aide.

Pat was a member of Saint John’s United Church of Christ in Niles.  She enjoyed an every-Saturday-night game of cards, reading novels, and watching wrestling on television.  She loved her pet cats and dog, but her greatest joy was her family.

On April 4, 1952 in Niles she married William Russell Gutschow with whom she celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on November 7, 1982.  She was also preceded in death by her parents and sadly by a grandson, Brian Scott Walter; and by a brother, Earl Pollock and a sister, Marion Cassaboom.

Surviving family includes her children, Susan Marie (& Stephen) Leggett of Buchanan, Michigan, William Wayne Gutschow of Niles, and Shelly Renee Gutschow of Niles; a brother, Jim Pollock of Battle Creek, Michigan and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Pat Gutschow will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 6, 2020 at Saint John’s United Church of Christ, 601 Sycamore Street in Niles with the Rev. Ray Fulbright of the church officiating.  Committal will follow at Mission Hills.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles and on Friday at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Contributions in memory of Pat may be made to the Cass County Animal Shelter, 323 M-62, Cassopolis, Michigan, 49031, or to the donor’s choice.  Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

While Pat was well-known for her love of animals, she also chose to work with the public at the department store, help personally with patients in their homes, gather with family around the card table every week, and worship with her congregation, all evidence of the abundance of love that she shared.