Patricia Lee Bianca September 16, 1946 - September 2, 2021

Patricia Lee Gehrls Bianca, 74, passed away peacefully on September 2, 2021.  Pat was born September 16, 1946 to Arnold and Virginia Gehrls in Waukegan, IL, the second of nine children. In 1959 the family moved west to California where Pat fell in love with the sand and sea.  There, she met and in 1966 married the love of her life, Sam Bianca.  Together they raised 3 children.  In 1976, in search of a better place for their children to grow, they moved to Idaho, settling in the mountains above Idaho City and later moving and retiring in Boise.

Pat was adventurous and loved to laugh and dance, bobbing her head or snapping her fingers as she enjoyed any tune.  If she liked you, you knew it and you became part of her family.  She would forever welcome you with open arms.  She was never one to be satisfied at watching.  She was a doer and always game to jump right in the middle of the fun.  She had a big laugh, kind heart and the ability to be present in the moment, focusing on the person in front of her.  She could often be found on the floor giggling and enjoying a game, a laugh or imaginary play with the kids.  If you knew Pat, you undoubtedly heard about her family.  She loved them each; truly, madly, deeply and couldn’t resist sharing their most recent accomplishments with whomever would listen.  She was a hardworking, proud and loving mother but her greatest accomplishment was that of a doting, selfless and ever-present grandmother to her grandkids. She managed to create a loving and unbreakable bond with each one of them.

Pat is survived by her three children, Sam Bianca Jr (Tina) of Boise, Lisa Bianca-Poole (Bob) of Boise, and Laura Congleton (Justin) of McCall. Her grandchildren, Joclyn and Tony Hunt, Ryann Bianca and fiancé Derek Item, Lily Congleton, Gus Poole and Fischer Pool as well as her 2 great-granddaughters, Cora and Aris Hunt.  Her mother, Virginia Gehrls of Camarillo, CA, siblings, Mary Holt (Clyde), Tom Gehrls (Sue), Jerry Gehrls (Patty), Judy Alandt (Brian), Rick Gehrls (Teresa), Sue Martin (Doug) and Jim Gehrls (Debbie) and numerous nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Sam Bianca, her father, Arnold Gehrls and brother, Ron Gehrls.

Services will be held Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 1:00 PM at Bowman’s Funeral Parlor, 10254 W Carlton Bay Drive, Garden City, ID 83714.