Patricia Hedger

Funeral Mass for Patricia Ann Hedger, 87, of Killdeer, will be 10:00 am Friday, August 18, 2023 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Killdeer with Father Joseph Evinger celebrating.  Burial will take place in the Killdeer Cemetery.

Visitation for Patricia will be 5:00 – 6:00 pm Thursday, August 17, 2023 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Killdeer with a rosary and vigil service being held at 6:00 pm.

Patricia passed away on August 13, 2023 at CHI St. Alexius in Dickinson.

Patricia Ann was born September 26, 1935 in Dickinson, the daughter of Daniel Fitzlaugh, DDS of New England, ND and Lucille (Duffy) Fitzlaugh of Milwaukee, WI, serving as Daniel’s dental assistant.  Growing up, she attended Killdeer Public School. Following graduation, she attended University of North Dakota – SRS. of St. Joseph Nursing in Grand Forks, ND and earned her RN degree.  Patricia married Donald Hedger on November 23, 1956 in Dickinson. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Daniel, Patrick, and Deborah.  Patricia’s RN career in care-giving took place in Phoenix, AZ, as head nurse for Head Start in Maricopa County Health, and RN school nurse in Glendale School District- grades 1-6. 

Patricia inherited a love of horses and horsemanship from her father, and earned the title of Killdeer Mountain Rodeo Queen in her teen years. She was very devoted to her Catholic faith and was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Killdeer. Patricia enjoyed hosting events, cooking and baking for family and friends, homemaking, spending quality time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and serving on various boards in the Killdeer community including The Hill Top Home of Comfort, Hill Top Foundation, High Plains Community Center, and Dunn Community Health. She played a vital role in forming the Killdeer and Halliday Community Health Clinics and the Hill Top Home of Comfort nursing home. Patricia worked alongside her husband Don to further strengthen the Killdeer community by starting Killdeer Mountain Manufacturing to provide steady jobs and benefits in the aerospace electronics industry.

Patricia is greatly loved by her family and will be missed by all who knew her.

Patricia is survived by her husband, Donald; sons, Daniel of Kerrville, TX, Patrick (Ann) of Killdeer; daughter, Deborah Hedger (Jenny Walter) of Half Moon Bay, CA; grandchildren Kristin Hedger of Kerrville, TX, Erika (Travis) Bauer of Killdeer, Mathew (Ashton) Hedger of Langdon, ND, Jessie Hedger-Walter of Half Moon Bay, CA; and 7 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel “Buck” and Mary (Duffy) Fitzlaugh; and sister, Mary Sydney.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hilltop Home of Comfort, the High Plains Community Center, or the University of Mary.