Patricia Jean (Lofthus) Gowan was born January 12, 1936 in Oslo, MN. She was the sixth of six children born to Lars & Helen (Farder) Lofthus. Pat graduated the Valedictorian from high school in Oslo, MN in 1955. She went on to Mayville State College and received a degree in Elementary Education. She then taught in Stephen, MN for one year. She met her future life companion while attending high school in Oslo. Being a very smart woman, she accepted Gary Gowan's marriage proposal and became the love of his life. On June 6, 1958 their over 70 year love story began when they were united in marriage. They made their home in West Oslo where together they loved and raised their five children, Deb, Tom, Pam, Amy and Angie who became the focus of their lives.

Gary was a farmer and being a farmer's wife, Pat spent her time fixing meals for the crews who worked on their farm as well as tending to many other chores but never forgetting that her most important job was being a good mother and good example to her five rambunctious children.

Pat was gifted on the piano and loved to play it. She also had a very beautiful singing voice. Her girls would listen to a song on the radio and ask her to play it for them. She never missed a note. Their favorite times were singing with her while she played Disney tunes. Pat sang at weddings, including her oldest daughter Deb's wedding, she also sang at funerals and many, many other get-togethers. Pat worked on the wedding committee at St. Paul's Episcopal Church for many years and her girls were always there with her setting up, organizing, and learning. She also taught several years of cub scouts. She was an amazing multi-tasker, tending to her beautiful flower and vegetable gardens, making incredible meals for her family and for the men in the fields. She loved to make homemade buns, lefse, and cookies, and spent time with each of her girls, teaching them how to make them while they played with and ate the dough.

Pat was very patient and very kind. She had a gentle way of nurturing her children every day, no matter how busy she might be or what other challenges she might be facing. Pat taught her children to love everyone and to love and be kind to animals. You could regularly find her rocking a kitten in her rocking chair. She and Gary had one dog their whole life, Snoopy. He was very loved and was such a big part of the family. Pat loved to paint ceramics, crochet, embroider and sew. When her children began to have their own children, Pat loved to play lots of games with her family, scrabble, chinese-checkers, cards to name a few and she loved to read to her grandchildren. After her children were grown Patricia went back to the work force and was employed several years at Myre's Fashions, Grand Forks and Landowski Furniture Store, Oslo.

Patricia is survived by her son, Thomas (Elrose); daughters, Debra (James) Solem, Amy (James) Larson, and Angela (Justin) Cerkowniak; grandchildren, Tyler (Mari), Tim (Rebecca) and Troy (Ashley) Solem, Justin and Kristina Adams, Brett and Bryce Cerkowniak, Thomas and Lilly Larson, Travis and Rachel Bushaw, and Jason Bushaw; great-grandchildren, Della and Cullen Solem (Tim), Kaizley, Moxin and Ryzer Solem (Troy), Blaise Adams (Justin), Deziree, Dominic, Damian and Gianna (Travis), Courtney and Cassandra (Jason); and great-great-grandchildren, Everly and Letti (Courtney), and Arlo (Cassandra).

Patricia was preceded in death by her husband, Gary; her daughter, Pamela Adams; her parents, Lars & Helen; her sisters, Geneva, Luella, Lillian, and Orlys; and brother, Leeward.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Almonte Neighborhood of Valley Senior Living for going above and beyond in their care for Pat.

Memorial Service is 2:00PM on Monday, December 19, 2022 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 319 South 5th Street, Grand Forks, ND, with Visitation 1 hour prior. Interment at Granville Cemetery in Oslo, MN.