Patti Perry

Funeral Service for Patricia B. "Patti" Perry, 67, of Marmarth, ND will be at 10:00 a. m. on Monday, March 26, 2012 in the Chapel of Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker, MT, with the Reverend Father Thomas Tobin officiating. Interment will follow in the Riverside Cemetery at Marmarth, ND.

Visitation will be 4:00 p. m. to 8:00 p. m. on Sunday, March 25th at Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker with the family receiving friends from 4:00 p. m. to 6:00 p. m.

Patti passed away on Thursday, March 22, 2012, at MedCenter One in Bismarck, ND.

Patricia (Childers) Perry was born March 3, 1945 to Asbury (Pat) and Beryl (Striebel) Childers. She grew up and attended school in Marmarth. In 1961 married Gary Perry. They were blessed with 2 children Hailey (Wally) Dschaak of Marmarth, ND and Heidi (Mike Schoch) of Schefield, ND. Patti and Gary spent many years living summers throughout MT and WY while Gary was working road construction but always returning to Marmarth when the construction season was done for the winter. Patti was a hard working woman throughout her life starting at The Beanery in Marmarth. She worked as a Mother, volunteer EMT, bartender, school bus driver, flagger, caterer for dinosaur diggers, gas station owner operator, goat dairy owner operator and most recently as Slope County Economic Developer. But her life?s work was reflected in her Volunteer work. She served as a 4-H leader, chaperone and driver for all her children?s school and other functions. The love of her community kept her involved with the Mystic Theatre, Marmarth Historical Society, Saddle Club, Motorcycle Rally, Fire Belles, Salvation Army, All school reunions, Chautauqua and the youth rodeo. Her organizational skills were instrumental in the founding of The Marmarth Ambulance Service and Training Center, the Salvation Army Pantry and the reorganization of the Fire Dept. Her promotional efforts for her beloved Marmarth, Slope County, and rural areas, kept things going and kept them on the map and in the news. She was the main organizer of Dinosaur Days, Santa Claus Days and the annual Ambulance sponsored Haunted Walk. She was always on hand for the 4th of July, busy between parades, helping with the rodeo and concession stand. Patti?s drive didn?t stop with Marmarth. She served on boards and worked with the Humanities Council, REAP board, ND League of Cities, The American Dairy Goat Assoc. , Cornerstone Theater Company, Southwest RC&D. She was also amazing fund raiser. She secured grants to build the Marmarth Community Center, The Marmarth Tech Lab, the roof for the Barber Auditorium, and grants and loans for many Slope County organizations and businesses. No matter how busy she was with community she always had time for her family and friends. She had enough love for not only her own family, but for everyone, especially the kids. She hosted exchange students, and was an emergency shelter and support for anyone or anything in need. A cup of coffee, baked goods, counseling and advice, a phone call or whatever was needed, was always available or arranged for, at Patti Perry's dining room table. As a friend once wrote ?Patti was a real renaissance woman?. There was nothing she couldn't do, especially if anyone tried to tell her it couldn't be done. She loved to cook, sew, garden, read, do crafts and puzzles of all kinds, and ?tend critters? of all kinds, goats above all. She also loved the holidays, especially Christmas.

She is survived by her husband Gary, Sister Roxi (Tom) Lecoe, 2 daughters, 8 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, numerous nieces and nephews, many ?adopted? children of all ages, and the community she loved. She touched the lives of everyone around her in so many ways and these are just a few of the things for which she will always be remembered.

Patti's family requests In Lieu of Flowers that memorials be made to the Marmarth Ambulance Service, P. O. Box 144, Marmarth, North Dakota 58643.