Patricia L. Graham

Monday, January 8, 2018 6:22 pm

Patricia L. Graham, 85, of Decorah, died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, at Patty Elwood Center in Cresco, after a long battle with dementia. Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, with Rev. Phillip Gibbs officiating. Burial is in St. Benedict Cemetery in Decorah. Visitation begins at 10 a.m. Friday, one hour before the service, at Fjelstul Funeral Home. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.

Patricia Lucille (Cronin) Graham was born April 30, 1932, in Decorah, the daughter of Frank P. and Ellen C. (Beck) Cronin. She was one of nine children. Patricia graduated from Decorah High School with the class of 1952. Patricia was united in marriage to Herman Spencer, Clemens Loftsgard, Arlan Stevens and David Graham.

Patricia took great pride in working as a waitress at the Winneshiek Hotel and Family Table, and as a business owner and homemaker. Patricia also lived in Waukegan, Ill. and Apache Junction, Ariz. Patricia was an avid walker and loved her pull tabs, tap beer, spending time with her grandchildren, playing cards and table games at “Grand Central Station,” fishing, Iowa Hawkeyes (quoting “Get the ball!”) marching in the Nordic Fest Parade and spending time (working) at the Hay Market. Patricia was a socialite, loved to party and was known for her famous jokes.

Pat is survived by her four children: Pamela (James) Gipp of Decorah, David (Deborah) Loftsgard of Gunder, Susan (Ross) Folkers of Humboldt and Vickie Stevens of Onalaska, Wis.; 12 grandchildren: Mary Weigert , Cindy Dietz, Sarah Cook, David Green, Dennis Green, Jeaneen Kleppe, Jason Loftsgard, Jayme Loftsgard, Sunshine Loftsgard, Jeremy Prior, Michelle Wilde, and Whitney Xiong; 29 great-grandchildren, whom she adored; four siblings: Gladys Mincks of Decorah, Robert (Ila) Cronin of Waterloo, Janice Cronin of Marshalltown and Frank (Sally) Cronin of Omaha, Neb.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Ellen Cronin; one brother, Joe Cronin; three sisters: Grace Vikre, Eleanor (Cronin) Moody, Marjorie Mincks; and grandson, Joshua Hli Xiong.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.