Patricia M. (Halla) Malay

Patricia Margaret (Halla) Malay

October 22,1934 – July 20, 2024

Pat was born in La Crosse on Oct. 22, 1934, to John and Theresa Halla.  She was baptized at Holy Trinity Catholic Church by Rev. Victor J. Plecity; also receiving the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation there. She attended Holy Trinity Grade School where she led the rosary before daily Mass.  Pat loved school and never missed a day until she came to school sick one day, and was sent home.

In 1952, Patricia graduated from Aquinas High School with honors, and a perfect attendance record, which included daily Mass attendance for 4 years, which was honored by Msgr. Plecity with the gift of a St. Joseph Daily Missal.

Her education continued at St. Francis School of Nursing where she received her degree as a registered nurse, in 1955.  One day, while walking home from classes, Dad (on leave from the Navy) offered Mom a ride home on his Indian motorcycle.  The romance blossomed while Jim (Dad) was overseas, and Pat (Mom) was completing her studies.

On May 4, 1957, Patricia Margaret Halla and James Leon Malay were joined in Holy Matrimony by Msgr. V.J. Plecity at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in La Crosse.

They moved to Savanna, IL where Jim was a telegraph operator for the Burlington Northern Railroad, and Pat was a nurse at Jane Lamb Memorial Hospital in Clinton, IA.  Following the birth of 5 children, Pat and Jim moved back to La Crosse where Jim joined the La Crosse Police Dept. and Pat continued nursing at Lutheran Hospital, followed by St. Francis Hospital, and finally Bethany Home on Cass where she worked until she retired.

The family enjoyed many camping trips throughout the years, and Pat always made birthdays and holidays special with her loving touches. Spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; gardening, baking, crocheting, knitting, embroidering, sewing, and playing Yahtzee were some of her favorite past-times.

After retirement, Pat and Jim, “snowbirds”, made the long drive to Lake Havasu, AZ, for the winter which also  enabled them to visit their family in California.  They enjoyed relaxing at their cabin near Ashland, WI during the warmer months, and in the fall you could find them both hunting there with family.

In later life, Pat took courses at St. James and local Catholic churches to deepen her faith.  During the “shutdown”, she got up at 5:30 am every weekday so she could be one of the few allowed to be present at Holy Mass. She recognized the importance of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the True Presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.  As long as she was able, she frequented the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Throughout life, Pat had a special devotion to Our Blessed Mother.  Whenever anyone needed prayers, Mom had her rosary handy and implored Our Lady’s help.  She attended Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, often, and also traveled to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, in Champion, WI.  Pat also looked forward to praying with the ladies rosary group, which met weekly.  Mom’s faith is a powerful witness to her family, all who knew her, and, hopefully, even to those who did not know her.

Patricia is survived by her 8 children:  Kathleen Bertolas of Neshkoro, WI; James (Sandra) Malay, Jr. of Lakeville, MN; Jeanne Malay of La Crosse, WI; Linda (Brian) Gilligan of Peosta, IA; Ruth (Peter) Heidmann of Encinitas, CA; David Malay of Rosholt, WI; Ronald Malay of La Crosse, WI; and Ryan (Rebecca) Malay of Holmen, WI.

23 grandchildren: Katrina [Bertolas] (Scott) Sobstad; Marisa, Anthony, and Nicholas Bertolas; Emily [Malay] (Andrew) Osgar; Steven Malay; Luke, Anna, Samuel Gilligan and Michelle [Gilligan] (Daniel) Kirk; Hans, Adam, and Mark Heidmann; Whitnie [Malay] (Aaron) Hedges; Austin, Brandon, Carson, Dillon, Cooper, and Jocelyn Malay; and Gabrielle and Avery Garrow.

9 great-grandchildren: Sophia, Jacob, Joseph, and Noah Sobstad; Asa Bertolas; Isabel Osgar; Noah and Olivia Hedges; and Luca Garrow.

She is also survived by her brother Donald Halla of Evansville, WI, and his 2 sons Matthew (Lee Ann) Halla and Michael (Brenda) Halla and their families; also nephew Daniel Morrison, and nieces: Diane (Douglas) Guertin, Susan (David) Hendrix, Debra (Jeffory) Kelner, Ellen (Kevin) Beardsley, Sharon (Jeffrey) Young , Maureen Morrison, Barbara(William) Davis, Cindie (Peter) Fredrickson, and their families.

Pat was preceded in death by her husband Jim; grandmother Anna Schmidt; her parents John and Theresa Halla; her sisters, and their spouses: Phyllis (Howard) Morrison; Donna (Gary) Rhodes; Nancy (James) Spagl; infant sister Ellen; brother Eugene Halla, sister-in-law Marie Halla, and infant niece Mary Rhodes.   Also, Jim’s parents: John and Ethel Malay; his sister Geraldine Champlin; brothers, and their wives:  John D. Malay (Shirley); Eugene (Patricia) Malay; and Benjamin Malay; and one grandson, Gabriel Gilligan.

The family would like to thank Mary and Margaret Check, Ashlynn Schmies, Jennifer Gher, Mary Cook, and Terri Borski for helping to care for mom in her later years. We are especially grateful to Jane Blanchard for all the love and care she gave our mother during her last months, and everything she did for our family.  May God reward her greatly!