Patricia “Pat” Bayley, 82, Valley City, ND passed away Saturday, Dec. 23, in Essentia Hospital with her family by her side.

The funeral service will be 10:30 am Friday, January 5, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Valley City. The visitation will be 5-7 pm, Thursday, January 4, 2024, at Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City, with a prayer service at 7 pm at the chapel. Visitation will continue one hour before the service at the church. The burial will be at Page Cemetery, Page, N.D.

Pat was born to Kenneth and Evelyn (Cleveland) Sanderson on July 4, 1941, in Bottineau, ND.  Pat was raised on a farm near Willow City, ND.  While Pat’s siblings enjoyed outdoor chores, Pat preferred to spend her time on inside chores with her mother.   Pat attended Willow City Public School grades 1-12 and graduated in 1959.  In her youth, Pat was active in 4-H and Luther League.  While in school, Pat participated in band, choir, and worked on the school’s annual and newspaper, “The Redwing”.  Pat always felt a strong connection to her roots and was proud to let people know she was from Willow City.  She loved her family, her classmates, and her school.

After graduation, Pat attended Minot State College and received her two-year teaching certificate.  Pat taught in Tower City, Page, and Fingal.  Pat returned to college and completed her bachelor’s degree at Valley City State College in 1979.  She taught for 37 years before retiring in 1999.  Pat loved her students and referred to them all as “her kids”. Pat was always thrilled to catch up with “her kids” to learn about their lives and their families.  

Pat married Roger Bayley on September 15, 1962.  Two children, Lyle and Lisa, were born to this union. The family lived in Tower City, Page, and Fingal prior to settling in Valley City in 1976.  Pat was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church.  She taught Sunday school and participated in choir and bell choir.  Pat was a member of the Eagles Auxiliary.  Pat also worked at Kenny’s Restaurant in Valley City for 30 years.  During that time, Pat received the “Best Customer Service” award from the Valley City Chamber of Commerce.  Pat was well known in the community for her kindness and welcoming personality. Pat had a gift of making others feel at home.  She loved to spoil those around her by making a special pot of flavored coffee or by sharing trays filled with her homemade Christmas candy.  

Pat is survived by her children Lyle (Jill) Bayley and Lisa (Joe) Neurauter; grandchildren Logan Bayley and Amber Neurauter; great-granddaughter Hanna Neurauter; siblings Carolyn Heller and Chuck Sanderson and sisters-in-law Margaret Samuelson and Shirley Disher; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Pat was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, mother and father-in-law, Warren and Grace Bayley; a sister Gaylen Dokken; granddaughter Shaina Neurauter and many in-laws.  

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City.  An online guestbook is available at wwww.olivernathanchapel.com.