Patricia May Hettenbaugh

Pat Hettenbaugh (Brewer) died April 12, 2024, in her home,  surrounded by her family.  

Patricia May Brewer was born in Englewood, CO April 28, 1938, to Violia and Chester Brewer. The eldest of 6 children, her happy childhood was filled with helping her mother tend to siblings, learning to cook, and sew, and afternoons searching for the perfect rock. She enjoyed helping her father in the family business of growing carnations in his greenhouses, spurring her love of all things gardening.

She was fortunate enough to be swept off her feet by a handsome stranger passing through on his motorcycle, George Hettenbaugh. Shortly after, they married and moved to Dale, MN. Pat filled her days raising 5 children. She grew vegetables for canning, chickens, and massive flower beds, all while keeping a beautiful home for her family, breaking only for the daily episode of “Days of Our Lives”. 

Once the children had grown, she worked seasonally for Carl’s Lefsa in Hawley, MN and springs at Bergen’s Nursery; but she thrived in her role as Grandma. Never one to turn away the opportunity to lend a hand with an evening of babysitting, sleepovers or an afternoon adventure. She taught them all to love a tough game of croquette, build blanket forts, never give up in an Uno game.

Once Pat and George retired, they joined the snowbirds, eventually purchasing a home in Apache Junction, AZ. Pat loved the warm weather, her view of the mountains again and most of all the community of friends quickly made. Once again, their days were free for them to enjoy time with each other and friends; long lunches, wine on the back porch, day cruises out sight-seeing.

Pat will be dearly missed by all and her message to us would be “If there is something you want to do or see, go do it now”. 

Pat is survived by her husband, George; her children, Kari (Jim) Wiedeman, Rebecca Erickson, Jack (Nancy) Kirkwood, Kimberly (Byron Martinez) Copeland and Shannon Lee Hettenbaugh; brother, Roger (Debbie) Brewer; grandchildren, Amie, Bill, LeAnn, Chris, Trevor, Brock, Jason, Beau, Mandy, Tricia, Patrick, Krystie, Hank, Hoyce and Brad and 20 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Barbara Jean Garnier, Carol Ann Locke, Robert Charles Brewer and Donald Chester Brewer, and her son, William Zane Kirkwood

A memorial gathering will be held Thursday, May 9, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., at Wright Funeral Home, Hawley, MN.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice of the Red River Valley in memory of Patricia.