Patricia A Lewis

Patricia Ann Lewis passed away Tuesday, November 19, at Beehive Homes Assisted Living in Moorhead MN. She was born on April 29, 1940, in Oakes ND to Edwin and Eliza Long. She grew up in Verona ND, graduating from Verona High School in 1958. Known as Patty Ann to her family, she loved animals, especially horses, and enjoyed much of her childhood on the farm with lots of dogs, cats, horses, and cattle.

The youngest of 5, her older siblings were married and had children of their own when Patty came into the world. When she was 11 years old, her mother, Eliza, passed away after a battle with cancer. She helped provide care for her mother who told her, “Patty, you should be a nurse.” Those words planted seeds deep in her heart and after her marriage to Charles Dick (Lisbon ND) ended, she moved her 4 young children to Wahpeton ND to attend Nursing School. Inspired by her mother’s words, she graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at the top of her class and moved to Moorhead MN where she worked as an LPN at St. Ansgar’s Hospital for many years. She loved being a nurse and excelled at caring for her patients. She also worked at St. John’s Hospital in Fargo ND.

When she learned about Hospice of the Red River Valley in the early ’80s, she knew she had found her life’s true calling. Never having had a driver’s license, she passed the test, bought a used car, and began serving as a Hospice Nurse. She brought comfort and compassionate end of life care to countless patients and their families throughout Cass and Clay counties. Everywhere she went, someone would stop to hug her and thank her for the wonderful care she gave to a loved one. In the last months of her own life, she received care from Hospice of the Red River Valley, reconnecting with many of the same special people she worked with, hired, and trained during her own time there. It was truly a blessed full circle for her. The name of the hospice nurse who cared for her during her final hours was Eliza, which was her mother’s name.

Patricia married Ron Lewis (Dilworth MN) in 1969. They lived in Moorhead until moving to Frazee MN in 1995. There, she was able to have horses again, which brought her much joy. After Ron passed away in 2008, she got her beloved Pomeranian (Gizmo), who was her faithful companion until her last days.

She will be dearly missed by her family and fondly remembered for her love for pets and wildlife, her wonderful homemade baking, cooking, and canning, the lovely roses and flowers she grew, her angel collection, her quiet presence, and for her beautiful smile.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents Edwin & Eliza, her brother, Robert Long, her 3 sisters, Evelyn, Frances, and Mary, grandson Ryan, son-in-law Leo, and her husband Ron. She is survived by her five children, Theresa Lewis (Perham MN), Tony (Tracey) Lewis – Wenatchee WA, Marilyn Lewis (Dean S.) – Fargo ND, Julie Richter (David) – Bethel MO, Ronda Kercher (Kreg) – West Fargo ND, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 26, 2019, at 1:00 pm, at Crosspoint Alliance Church in Perham MN.