Patricia Carol "Patty" Langton, 64,

passed away in her home on Nov. 9, 2008. She died of natural causes, but her family and friends believe her to have died of a broken heart after losing her husband and soul mate, Jerry, to cancer just two years ago.

Born to Odus and Lucene Wilkinson in Modesto, Calif., on Oct. 7, 1944, Patty joined her only brother Bob to complete the Wilkinson family. She graduated from Modesto High School in 1962, where she had been active as a cheerleader in the Rally Club.

Patty worked in retail sales and was later a dental assistant in Modesto. She then operated her own answering service for many local businesses after first moving to Whitefish in 1977 with her first husband and their children. Patty later held a variety of jobs to support her two children after her divorce.

She was a very strong and determined woman, as well as a super Broncos fan.

She met her husband, Jerry, in 1987. The two of them enjoyed life to its fullest, riding their Harley, golfing, camping, fishing and running the business Jerry started, Langton Excavation. One of their fondest memories of work was their winter spent in Hawaii.

Patricia was preceded in death by her father, Odus; brother, Bob; and loving husband, Jerry.

She is survived by her mother, Lucene Wilkinson, of Modesto; daughter, Stacy Necessary, and partner, Jim Cooke, of Jacksonville, Fla.; son, Shaun Necessary, wife Holli, and their four children, of Lemoore, Calif.; stepson, Shawn Langton, wife Rebecca, and their two sons, of Anchorage, Alaska; sister-in-law, Debbie Langton, and her family, Scott Gallaher and sons, of Spokane; various aunts, uncles and cousins; six nephews and a niece.

Patty was also fortunate to have many dear friends and neighbors here in the Flathead Valley. Those local to the area know that Patty also left behind Turbo, her very special canine buddy.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29, at Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish. Cremation has taken place, and interment will be at a later date. Friends and family will gather at the VFW in Whitefish after the service.

Donations may be made to the Humane Society of Northwest Montana in Patricia's name.