Patricia Brula

Patricia “Pat” (Milos) Brula, 78, of Virginia died Monday, December 9, 2024, at Essentia Health-Virginia in hospice care. She chose to donate her body to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program for medical research.

Pat was born on July 2, 1946, to Francis and Marian (Ruotsi) Milos in Biwabik. She grew up on the family farm in Hutter with her five siblings. Pat graduated from Gilbert High School, Class of 1964. She furthered her education by attending bookkeeping school. Pat worked at various jobs throughout her life but found the greatest reward working at the East Range DAC in Eveleth, making many friends along the way, while being able to visit her brother Brian daily.

Pat took care of her aging parents for many years. She loved spending time in the Twin Cities going to garage sales with her sister. She enjoyed completing challenging puzzles with her Alice Nettle friends into the wee hours of the morning and taking trips to the casino with her daughter, but it was her grandchildren that brought Pat the greatest joy.

Survivors include her children: Tammy (Mark) Heitzman and Richard (Shari Erchul) Brula; grandchildren: Monty (Alethea) Heitzman, Jacob (Carissa Brakke) Heitzman, Grace Klander and Jason Brula; great-grandson: Henry; brothers: Terry and Gary Milos; sister-in-law: Linda Milos; nephews: Bruce Vratisovsky and Rodney, Jeff, Brad, Reed and Ryan Milos.

She was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in -law, Judith (James) Vratisovsky; brothers: David and Brian Milos; her parents, and special cousin, Janet Zelasco.

A celebration of life will be held from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Monday, September 22, 2025, at the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert. Memorials are kindly preferred in lieu of flowers. A private graveside service will be held later.