Thursday, March 10, 2016, started off as a foggy morning with a cool, crisp breeze that bloomed into a beautiful afternoon when the sun began to shine. Patricia Hartman felt at peace when she started her spiritual life as she was called home to her heavenly father. She was a wonderful gift to us.

Patricia Stowell was born in Fargo, ND, on October 16, 1930, the daughter of Frank and Zelda Hattie (McElwain) Stowell. As a small child Pat lived in Fargo, moving to various places between North Dakota and Minnesota with her farming and dairy producing family until later the family moved to New Rockford. It was there she learned to be a “Jane of all trades”, helping her mother and was also right alongside her dad, working with him as she could. In high school, one of her favorite pastimes was singing, and she sang in the school choir. Following high school, she worked as a telephone operator for a time and that is how she met the love of her life, Ray Hartman.

Pat was united in marriage to Ray Hartman on April 16, 1950, at the Methodist Church in New Rockford, which is now home of the Old Church Theatre. They lived a quiet life together farming and raising their family. Pat cherished her family and loved being a mother and grandmother. She fiercely loved all of her family, and was very proud of her children and their accomplishments. She would always say how capable they were of anything they wanted to do.  Pat always made sure her home was a safe and loving place to learn, laugh, to be happy or sad. She taught each family member many things over their lives; compassion, kindness, and how to be a giving person. She was a wonderful example of how to be a rock, how to be soft, and how to always be true.

Pat was the glue that held her family together, making time for each one of her kids and grandkids. She never wanted to see anyone upset or hurt; she loved on everyone and would say “If I could take your hurt away.”  We all had a special relationship with her: “it was just yours and Grandma’s”; “yours and Mom’s”.  Each relationship was unique, no more and no less than the others had, it was just yours. Her memory was like an elephant’s, she took great time and care in remembering others, the small details and the moments in each of their lives.  All who knew her would always say, “what a difference she made”.  Pat found joy in all the little things in life and in doing what made others happy.

She enjoyed helping others as a nurse’s aide. Everyone felt her love and joy; she touched many lives throughout her life with all the care and giving that she did. Pat also worked at the Chieftain as a desk clerk for a number of years, welcoming travelers while familiarizing herself with locals from Carrington and the surrounding communities. At her home, there was always enough food no matter who showed up at her doorstep, everyone was always welcomed.

Pat loved reading, trivia, and watching Jeopardy. She enjoyed spending her time gardening, sewing, cooking, baking, and watching the birds in the yard.

She is survived by her husband Ray, Sykeston, five children, Trish (Dave) Greenwood, Jamestown, ND,  Steve (Connie) Hartman, Medora, ND,  Shelly (Chuck) Dahl, Hazen, ND, Russ Hartman, Hereford, AZ, Darcie (Todd) Grager, Sykeston; eleven grandchildren, Abby (Chad) Rayna, Clay; Jamie(Ryan) Britta, Derrick (Kelly), Taylor, Jace, Sarah (Glenn); Somer (Grant), Lacy (Rory), Landon; Trent (Katie), Makall, and Raquel.

Pat was preceded in death by one daughter Joanne; seven brothers; five sisters; and many nieces and nephews.