Cloudy, 31° F
(July 4, 2008)
Dorothy Patricia (Pat) Friede, 69, died Friday, July 4 after an inspiring battle with cancer.
One of the many lessons she taught her family was the value of always trying your hardest, even in the face of the most devastating adversity. This “never give up” attitude gave her family several additional months with her.
She was born Nov.16, 1938 in Eugene, Ore., to Chuck and Dorothy Gratton. She married her high school sweetheart, Gordon Friede, on Dec. 27, 1956. Together, they raised five children. During their life together, Gordon and Pat moved many times to various towns across the Rocky Mountain states for Gordon’s career in the sugar beet industry. Pat had the ability to make each new house a home and each new town the best for her family, enabling them to thrive in all aspects of their lives: school, sports, work, friendships and life. She was always the wind beneath their wings.
Gardening was Pat’s passion. She took pleasure in nurturing her flowers and felt most content while among them. She felt every hour spent in the garden added days of meaning and joy to her life. She loved being outdoors and was always ready for a day of four-wheeling in the Pryor mountains among the wild horses. She also loved camping, fishing and above all else, spending time with her family. The annual “Friede Family Christmas in July” was always her favorite time of year.
The dream of a formal education was a desire unfulfilled. However, she was an expert in many areas and possessed a keen intellect that she imparted to her children and grandchildren, as she lived her life to the fullest every day.
Pat was preceded in death by her beloved parents and in-laws, Chuck and Dorothy Gratton and Otto and Mary Friede.
She is survived by her loving husband Gordon; her children; son Mike and wife Sue and their children Tucker, Danny, Jenna and Shane of Loveland, Colo.; daughter Dezi Kappes and husband Jeff, and their children Joe and Danny of Castle Rock, Colo.; daughter Cathy Williams and husband Gran of Powell, and their children Andi (Bozeman, Mont.) and Matt and Kristyn (Pinedale); daughter Lori Welch and husband Barry and their children Erin and Spencer Hughes (Provo, Utah), Derek, Megan, Maddie and Riley of Cody; and son Kelly and his children Kourtney and Colby of Great Falls, Mont.; sisters Lonnie (Phil) Eve, Bev (Mike) Nash, and Sharon Hanson, along with many nieces, nephews and beloved friend and neighbor Linda Borders.
Cremation has taken place and funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 9 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph‘s Parish in Lovell.
The family requests donations be made to your local hospice program.
