Patricia Lidstrom

Patricia Lidstrom, 79, Bismarck, died January 31, 2010, at her home. Patty was a victim of breast cancer. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 13, at 2:00 PM at McCabe United Methodist Church in Bismarck with Rev. Art Scanson officiating. Burial will be at Mandan Union Cemetery. Patty was born on October 18, 1930, in Bismarck, ND, to Clarence and Marie Kollmann Larsen. She attended Roosevelt Elementary School in Bismarck and graduated from Bismarck High School in 1948. During her high school years, she was a soprano soloist with the Bismarck High School Concert Choir under the direction of Orland Heskin, who ultimately sang at her wedding. Patty then attended North Dakota State University for a year where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and a soloist with the NDSU Concert Choir. Following her marriage to Kermit Lidstrom on December 16, 1950, the Lidstroms moved to Fargo, ND. Patty was employed as the banquet manager at the new Frederick Martin Hotel in Moorhead, MN, and their first daughter, Katherine, was born in Fargo in April 1952.In 1954, the Lidstroms moved to Cleveland, OH, and there Patty began a lifelong professional career as a legal secretary with the firms of Miller, Folk, & Schutz and later with Marshman, Snyder, Seeley, & Corrigan. During that time, Patty was also a Girl Scout leader with her daughter Kathy’s troop, and she appeared in two musical productions at the Karamu Theatre in Cleveland. In 1955, a second daughter, Eve, was born. In 1977, life changed dramatically for Patty when her husband, Kermit, was appointed President of Bismarck State College where Patricia served for 18 years as the First Lady of BSC. In addition, she quickly became a steadfast volunteer for numerous charities. A member of the advisory board of the Bismarck Salvation Army since 1991, Patty co-chaired the Army’s Christmas Committee. In 1998, she received a JC Penney Golden Rule Award for her work with the Salvation Army. On November 6, 2009, she was accorded the rare honor of being designated the first member Emeritus of the Salvation Army Advisory Board of Bismarck. She was Vice-President of the Bismarck Mandan Community Concerts for several years and a member of the Current Events Club, serving as President, Vice-President, and Treasurer. She was for many years a board member of Neighbors Network, a group dedicated to providing family centered prevention services for families whose children are experiencing difficulties in school. In addition, she was a member of Women’s Life Insurance Society, an organization which aids a variety of non-profit charitable agencies. In 1998, Patty co-chaired her 50th Bismarck High School with her good friend and classmate, Frank Bavendick. Patty had a gift for friendship, a generous heart, and an astounding memory for names. Known for her gracious hospitality and warmhearted smile, guests seldom left her house without a gift in hand, and she could be counted on to show up with food for anyone she thought needed a lift. An avid reader, Patty loved to share her latest literary find with friends and family. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Kermit; her daughters, Katherine and Eve; and her stepdaughter, Linda. Her surviving siblings are her brother, James Larsen and her sister, Dorothy Harris. Patty was especially fond of her two granddaughters, Laura and Katie. Prior to her death, Patty specifically suggested that memorials be sent to her favorite charity, The Salvation Army.

Patricia Lidstrom

October 18, 1930 - January 31, 2010