Patricia Louise Redfield Graham, 75
Patricia Louise Redfield Graham, 75, passed away Tuesday, May 29, 2007, at Heritage Place in Kalispell. She was born in Lakeside on Feb. 6, 1932, the daughter of Arthur and Dorothy (Asbridge) Redfield.
In Pat's early years, she enjoyed life on Flathead lake with her large family. She also had fond memories of working summers in the local cherry orchards. Pat attended grade school at the 'Little Red School House' in Lakeside and high school at Flathead County High School, where she graduated in 1950. Pat enrolled in Rocky Mountain College in Billings where she made many lifelong friends.
She then worked for McAllister Fuel Co. of Billings before returning to the Flathead Valley.
Pat married Francis Duffy Graham at the Lakeside Chapel on Sept. 16, 1956. Together they raised two children, Laurie and Mike, on a farm in the LaSalle area.
Through the years, Pat was active in many community groups. She was a 4-H leader for many years and belonged to the Farmers Union, Democratic Women, Hobby Club, and several pinochle clubs.
Pat's amazing memory and people skills made her a great secretary! She was employed at the First Northwestern Bank for 13 years. In 1969, she joined the firm of Harrington and Bibler where she worked for the next 28 years.
Pat had many great loves in her life. Her husband, children, grandchildren and family were all recipients of her generous love and caring. Pat was an excellent cook and many gatherings of family and friends centered around her kitchen. Pat also loved a good game of cards. Win or lose, a game of pinochle was the highlight of her day.
Pat was also a collector of valuable treasure. Her prized possessions were the friendships she had collected and nurtured throughout her life. This amazing collection included friends made in childhood, classmates, family members, co-workers, neighbors, card players and acquaintances.
The latest additions to Pat's collection came form the residents and kind and caring staff of the nursing homes where she lived. These valued treasures have been returned a hundred-fold to Pat. They came in the form of visits and phone calls, cards and letters, lunches and card games, thoughts and prayers. Pat was rich in people who loved her and she will be greatly missed by many!
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Francis; her parents, Arthur and Dorothy Redfield; her mother and father-in law, Byron and Anna Graham; sister-in-law, Lynn Redfield; and a niece, Ruthie Buck.
Pat is survived by her daughter, Laurie, and her children, Kara and Cammie, of Broadus; her son, Mike, and his wife, Muffy, and their children Kacey, Bailey and Shelby, of Kalispell; four brothers, Arthur Redfield and his wife, Virginia, of Bainbridge, Wash., Joseph Redfield and his wife, Louise, of Lakeside, Rusty Redfield and his wife, Maureen, of Lakeside, and Larry Redfield of Kalispell; one sister, Dorothy Buck, and her husband, Jack, of Lakeside, brother and sisters-in-law from the Graham family; 29 nieces and nephews and other extended family.
Funeral services for Pat will be held at 2 p.m. on June 5, at the Epworth United Methodist Church, 329 Second Ave. East, in Kalispell. Burial will follow at the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials be given to West Shore Community Library, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or the charity of your choice.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.