Patricia Ann Wangsnes died Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at her residence near St. Hilaire, MN following a 9 year battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at Seventh Day Adventist Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Pastor Tom Bentley and Pastor David Fish officiating. Burial will follow at the Community Cemetery in St. Hilaire, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Monday, January 21, 2008 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral on Tuesday at the church.

Patricia Ann Justesen was born November 1, 1926 in Wisconsin Rapids, WI the daughter of Peter and Helene (Lammar) Justesen. She was baptized into the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Port Arthur, Ontario, Canada (now called Thunder Bay). She attended elementary and high school education in Thunder Bay, Ontario (formerly Port Arthur), Canada.

Patricia attended college in Walla Walla, WA, majoring in nursing and art, and completed three years of nursing at New England Hospital in Stoneham, MA for an RN Degree in 1949.

She spent time working as a nurse in Massachusetts and then in San Francisco, CA where she met her future husband, Marvin Wangsnes, who was serving in the U.S. Army. She returned to work in Massachusetts; her future husband was reassigned to Fort Meade, Maryland. They were married in Massachusetts on September 6, 1953. They then moved to Minnesota where Marvin engaged in farming and Patricia practiced nursing. Patricia worked in Spokane, WA, Minneapolis, MN, and several winters in Glendale, CA. Locally, she worked in the Roseau and Greenbush hospitals, and approximately 35 years as a House Supervisor at Northwestern Hospital in Thief River Falls.

She enjoyed singing, gardening, knitting and crocheting, reading, cycling, walking and she will be remembered for her musical talents, artistic abilities, and her beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. Patricia was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She and Marvin enjoyed traveling to see their children and grandchildren. They particularly have fond memories of trips to the Mexican Riviera, Caribbean, and their 50th Anniversary trip to Hawaii. They also enjoyed several winters in Georgia and California to be near their children and grandchildren.

Patricia was a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Thief River Falls where she was song leader and held various offices and positions. She was a parish nurse and member of her local Homemakers Club.

Survivors include her husband of 54 years, Marvin of St. Hilaire; sons, Kevin (Gracie) Wangsnes of Grand Terrace, CA, Dr. Kraig (Marilyn) Wangsnes of Augusta, GA, Kurt Wangsnes of Lake Balboa, CA; grandchildren, Nolan Wangsnes of Grand Terrace, CA, Jarrett and Wyatt Wangsnes of Augusta, GA; brother, Jerry (Marilyn) Justesen; sisters, Virginia Williams and Lois Serafin of Roseburg, Oregon; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Neil Justesen, Sr.; brothers-in-law, Ralph Williams and Frank Serafin; and sisters-in-law, Carolyn Justesen and Lorraine Justesen.

Organist: Dawn Glass
Special Music: Dr. Tim Rittenour Nearer My God To Thee & Beautiful Valley of Eden
Special Music: Julie Bentley Amazing Grace
Congregational Hymn: Sweet By And By # 428
Casketbearers: Kevin Wangsnes, Dr. Kraig Wangsnes, Kurt Wangsnes, Niel Justesen, Jr., Rodney Glass and Jon Wangsnes