Patricia “Pat” Wickens Switzer, age 96, of Richey passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at the Sweetwater Retirement Community in Billings with her family at her side.
Pat was born in Denton, Montana on March 17, 1920, the daughter of Martin and Alice (Kilgannon) Wickens. She grew up and attended schools in Denton and graduated from Denton High School in 1937. She attended college at Great Falls where she received her teaching certificate. During World War II, she went to California where she worked for airplane manufacturing for a brief time, returning to Montana where she taught school in Winifred and later worked in social services in Havre. She met Dean Switzer while he was ranching in the Missouri breaks north of Winifred. They were married on September 5, 1949 at Denton and moved to the ranch Dean and his brother had purchased northeast of Circle. She remained on the ranch until October 2013 when she chose to move to Billings where she remained until the time of her death.
Pat was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church where she was very active and later, a member of St. Pius Parish in Billings. She was a member of the Republican Women and was a 4-H Leader. She was a long time member of Round Town Cowbelles and Duck Creek Homemakers. She enjoyed coming to town and meeting ‘the girls’ for coffee and helping out at the McCone Nursing Home fixing hair for the ladies. She loved quilting, gardening and most of all spending time with her family. Blessed with a sharp wit and a brilliant mind, she enjoyed discussing politics and current events right up to the end. Our sainted Irish mother was proud of her Irish heritage and enjoyed sharing her St Patrick’s Day birthday with grandson Tate. Watching her grandchildren grow and lead successful lives was one of her great pleasures.
Pat is survived by her son Larry (Charlene) Switzer of Richey, MT; a daughter Deanna (Ed) Brost of Brockway, MT; son-in-law Steve Solberg of Billings, MT; a brother Francis Wickens of Denton, MT; nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dean, an infant son Martin Wayne Switzer and a daughter Eileen Solberg.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 12, 2016 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Circle with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. A vigil service will follow at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 13, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Circle. Interment will follow in the Riverview Cemetery in Circle. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Circle is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Home On The Range or to the charity of one’s choice.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday August 12, 2016
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Circle, MT 59215
Vigil Service
6:30 p.m.
Friday August 12, 2016
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Circle, MT 59215
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Saturday August 13, 2016
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
Circle, MT 59215
Rite of Committal
following funeral
Saturday August 13, 2016
Riverview Cemetery
Circle, MT 59215
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday August 12, 2016
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Circle, MT 59215
Vigil Service
6:30 p.m.
Friday August 12, 2016
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Circle, MT 59215
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Saturday August 13, 2016
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
Circle, MT 59215
Rite of Committal
following funeral
Saturday August 13, 2016
Riverview Cemetery
Circle, MT 59215
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Glen and Teena Bollinger says
Larry & Charlene, Deanna & Eddie, and all the family,
We want to extend our deepest sympathy on the loss of your mother. What a long and wonderful life she had. God Bless!
Glen and Teena Bollinger
Jo Ryan says
Deanna and Larry and Families, I am so sorry that we lost our Dear Little Pat. She was the nicest lady. I so enjoyed all the times we spent with Dean and Pat. She will be missed by so many. I will treasure all the memories as I know you will. Thinking of you all at this time.
God Bless you all.
Karen and Dennis Wolff says
Deanna, Larry and Families, Pat will indeed be missed by many. She was a delightful lady and so proud of her family. You can be proud of all that you did as a family to ensure her happiness. Cherish those memories. Peace and comfort to you.
Tom, Valerie, Cathy & Lucas Dekker says
Larry, Deanna & Families, We are so sorry for the loss of Pat. Keep your memories close to your heart.
Dorothy says
TO the family of Pat,
I am sorry I won’t be able to be there this weekend however I will be their in spirit. I have so many wonderful memories of your folks when I used to come for over nighters. It was at your place I learned what buckwheat pancakes were and how to unsaddle a horse properly, namely Snappy. Pat and I laughed about that long after it was over. How wonderful to have had so many great years.l
Cindie Fitch says
Pat was a lovely and sincere woman with class. Sorry for your loss Deanna and family.
Nancy Vargas says
So sorry for your loss! Please be assured of our prayers and thoughts in this difficult time. Even though we didn’t know Pat well we always heard wonderful things about her from our mother’s childhood vacations!
May God Bless all.
Joaquin & Nancy Vargas (Hamilton)
Kevin, Julia, Isabel, Gabriela, AnnaClare, & Victor
Diane (Shamley) Ligon says
Deanna, Larry, and all your families,
I am so sorry to read about your loss of your dear Mom. Pat was the sweetest and nicest person you could ever meet. You are blessed with many fun and happy memories to cherish forever. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Tricia Rada says
Dear family,
We are very sorry for your loss. We have heard the nicest things about Aunt Pat from Grandma (Nancy Haynos) who thought of her as her sister. She was just telling us how she was so happy to have seen Aunt Pat just a few months ago. We are praying for all of you during this difficult time and for the repose of the soul of Aunt Pat. May she rest in peace!
Manuel and Tricia Rada and family
Tricia Rada says
Dear family,
We are very sorry for your loss. We have heard the nicest things about Aunt Pat from Grandma (Nancy Haynos) who thought of her as her sister. She was just telling us how she was so happy to have seen Aunt Pat just a few months ago. We are praying for all of you during this difficult time and for the repose of the soul of Aunt Pat. May she rest in peace!
Manuel and Tricia Rada and family