PATRICIA MAY ANDERSON

Patricia May Anderson began her journey to the Spirit World in the early morning on June 10, 2015 peacefully at her home in Oberon. Funeral Services for Patricia will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Gilbertson Funeral Home with Pastor Paul Young and Deacon Robert Greywater of Dakota Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be at the Hillside Cemetery, Oberon. Following the burial there will be a picnic lunch at Patricia’s residence. Drums will be provided by Spirit Lake Singers. Patricia was born at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake, ND on May 18, 1948 to John and Delores (Hedine) Anderson. Patricia attended Little Flower School in St. Michael, ND until 8th grade. She then went to Marty Indian School in Marty, South Dakota. After school, Patricia came back to Devils Lake and worked at the Two Spot Truck Stop for a time. She met and married Robert Putnam and they had five children together. During their marriage Patricia worked as a long haul truck driver with Robert. They also worked as ranch hands around North and South Dakota. In the early 1970s, Patricia divorced Robert and began a life with Harris Hegg. She and Harris had two children. They lived in Montana and North Dakota working many different jobs. She worked as a coal packer, bus monitor, waitress, daycare worker, cook, bartender and factory worker. In 1980, Patricia met and married Ingamar Johansson. She worked as a cook and maid while living in Dickenson and the Belfield area and made lifelong friendships while she was there. In the mid-1980s, she moved back to the Fort Totten area and raised her children until there were adults. She worked at Sioux Manufacturing Corporation working on camouflage nets. Patricia joined the Grace Baptist Church 1992. She took pride in her salvation and in assisting Missionaries from around the world. She also cooked meals every Sunday for the congregation of children who would attend church. Patricia and Harris reunited in 1991 and were married. In 1994 she began her education at Cankdeska Cikana Community College, receiving her GED in 1995, sharing the accomplishment with her sister Debra Cavanaugh. In 1999 she graduated from Cankdeska Cikana Community College with an Associate of Arts degree, and making both the Dean’s and President’s list. Patricia began working for Benson County on the Social Services Board after college. She helped implement a program for Native American parents on TANF to attend schooling as part of their volunteer hours. She was a mentor to many people within her program and a liaison between the Social Services Program and Spirit Lake Sioux Tribal members. She then began working for the Spirit Lake Tribe as an agent for their Employment and Training Program. She always enjoyed her work before retiring from there. Patricia enjoyed her life in many ways. She had many friends and family members who she visited and assisted daily. She helped raise three grandchildren and lived with her grandson Michael Adams until her death. She was an avid quilter and also loved to bead. When she was younger she rode motorcycle locally and travelled between North Dakota and Montana visiting relatives when she could. She encourage her children and grandchildren to love God and Country and do their best to get their education. Patricia also cared for animals with the same compassion, always carrying a bag of dog food, empty containers and jugs of water for her strays. Patricia is survived by her ex-husband Ingemar Johansson, her four children Brent (Tammie) Putnam, Sharene Adams, Brandy Popelka (David) and Reaba (Kurtis) Mack; adopted sons Lane Adams Sr. and CJ Ironheart; siblings Debra (William) Cavanaugh, Melody Christianson, Loreen Anderson, Loreena (Robert) Skaro, Lila (John) Anderson; adopted sister Betty “Doll” Smith; brother Blaine Anderson; godson Aaron Cavanaugh; grandchildren Lane (Annalissa) Adams, Jani Adams, Michael (Breann) Adams, Breanna Harrison, Donald (Stephanie) Smith, Keath Smith, Nakia and Emma Hill, Patricia, Abigail and Helena Mack, Abriel Chopper, Eric and Jessica and Ellie Blackbird; seven great grandchildren Carter Ironheart, Aubrey, Rebecca and Aaron Adams, Zaharah and Alexis Smith and Alayah Anchondo; lifelong friends Karen Peterson and Betty Lou Klym; many nephews and nieces and her precious dog Sweetie. She was preceded in death by three of her children Robert and Carmel Putnam and Mitchell Hegg; parents John and Delores Anderson; sisters Tracy Anderson, Sharon Gatlin – Anderson and Sherry Anderson; adopted sister Cheryl Fox; brothers John “Hancock” and Chris Anderson; special cousin Gilbert Fassett; nephew Chris Cavanaugh; nieces Aimee and Heidi Anderson; husbands Harris Hegg and Robert Putnam. Pallbearers are John Waanatan, Johnny Waanatan, Titus Anderson, Rodney Agulair, Joey Thumb and Corey Ploium. Honorary pallbearers are Myra Pearson, Sheldon Graywater, Trent Anderson, Tracy Charboneau, Megan Charboneau, Nicole Anderson and Cassandra “Chepa” Cloud.