Clear, 37° F
(Aug. 27, 1928 - Sept. 27, 2013)
Pat Desjarlais, of Cody, died after a short illness one month after her 85th birthday as her daughter held her close at West Park Hospital Long Term Care Center on Sept. 27, 2013.
Lois Patricia “Pat” Pease was born on Aug. 27, 1928, in Maxbass, N.D., to Elgie and Eli (Gram) Pease. She and her three brothers were raised on the family farm just west south of Maxbass and north of Minot.
Pat married her high school sweetheart Jim Nichol right after graduation and lived the majority of their 25 years together in Williston, N.D. With this marriage Pat enjoyed being an expert shoes sales person, a wife and a mother to their only child Susan Patricia Nichol.
They all spent endless days boating and fishing at their cabin on Lake Sacajawea with an array of wonderful with friends.
She and Jim divorced in 1973.
Pat married James Desjaralais and moved to Powell, then later to Billings, and spent the last few years in Cody, where she resided at the Long Term Care Center.
Pat was a skilled bowler with many 500 and 600 series under her belt. She was an accomplished china painter, rockhound and keeper of pretty things. She always said she had “Champagne taste on a beer pocketbook,” but always managed to surround her home with exquisite crystal, colored glass pieces, beautiful music boxes, etc. Her home was always immaculate, as was she. Pat never had a hair or piece of clothing out of place.
She always liked to make people smile and comfortable, and would strive to say something funny to bring a laugh or smile to someone’s day — even up to her final days. Shortly after her death a stunning rainbow appeared and those who saw it knew … Pat was home.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents, second husband James Desjaralais, who died in June, oldest brother Allen, youngest brother Lloyd, nephew David, sisters-in-law Elsie, Leila, and Carol, and a very special granddaughter, Teri Jo.
Pat is survived by her daughter Suzi Nichol Hoiness and son-in-law Doug Hoiness; step-grandson Bryan and his wife Stormy and their children Holden and Scarlett; step-granddaughter Kristina and her husband Loren; first husband Jim Nichol of Fromberg, Mont.; brother Leon Pease and Mary Cash of Minnesota, and a beautiful handful of nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 3 p.m. at West Park Hospital’s Long Term Care Center’s front dining room. Randy Leisey will officiate.
Pat’s favorites will be served: root beer floats, coffee, dark chocolate, red licorice and mints.
Ballard Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and an online memorial is available at www.ballardfh.com.
