Patricia K. Gjerde

Patricia K Gjerde was born on December 4, 1939, in Aitkin, Minnesota to Harold and Agnes Hanson. She passed away on July 20, 2023, surrounded by her family, after eight years of dementia and pulmonary fibrosis.

Pat was born and raised in Aitkin, MN, graduating from Aitkin High School and then attended Augsburg University to study Psychology.

She and M. Kenneth Gjerde married on August 4, 1962, in Aitkin, MN. Their honeymoon included Niagara Falls, New York, the New England States, and Washington DC. From their marriage they had two sons, Stephen Kenneth and Paul Kristofer. She started her own business called Natural Design and sold crafts of her making, attending craft fairs all over Minnesota.

She was a Pastor’s wife. She and her family moved often as the church called them to different areas across the United States. After moving to Montana, she continued her craft business and had a small shop, The Whistle Stop, at the Milwaukee Station in Great Falls, MT. In 1984, she and the family moved to Fairfield, MT where they settled down for the remainder of their lives.

Pat was an artist, animal lover, and pastor's wife, but at heart she was a grandma. She had five grandkids who she spent a lot of time with and loved very much. She spent many years taking care of her grandkids. Every Tuesday, she and her grandsons, and friend, Helen would attend BSF in Great Falls. Pat and Ken traveled extensively to visit family all over MN and WA, especially in the summer months for reunions and time with cousins and grandchildren. She never missed an opportunity for a photo to fill the family albums that could be treasured forever.

Later in life, dementia took over Pat while her family learned to care for her at home for many years. In May of 2021, she moved to Teton Peak Assisted Living in Choteau, MT.  This became her new home until her passing.  While there, she was loved and treated like family. Her son, Steve, visited daily after work and her grandson Maxwell worked in the facility kitchen seeing her every day. Caretaker, Angel Cassidy, treated her like her own grandma and Pat loved her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ken; and sisters, Alice, Ceilia, and Mary. She is survived by her sister, Ruth Anderson of Tulsa, Oklahoma; sons, Steve (Michelle) Gjerde and Paul Gjerde (Roberta Alfson) all of Fairfield; grandchildren, Joey Mangus, Alexandra Gjerde, Aden Gjerde, Maxwell Gjerde, and Myles Gjerde; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a special family, the Cassidy family of Conrad with Angel Cassidy being an honorary granddaughter.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Bright Eyes Animal Shelter in Choteau, Montana.  A memorial will be held at a later date at St. Paul Lutheran Church Fairfield, MT.