Patricia Tishmack

Patricia ""Patti"" Tishmack January 22, 1967 – February 15, 2008 Patti was born on January 22, 1967 in Bismarck, North Dakota, to Jerome Tishmack and Geneva Snider. Penelope, Priscilla, and Patrick preceded her in the family, and Petina and Preston followed her. Patti grew up in the small town of Steele, North Dakota, where she attended school through her senior year at the Steele-Dawson school. On April 23, 1986, Kayla Dawn Stein was born to Patti. Although she had many great accomplishments, Kayla was always her most treasured gift. In December of 1997, Patti graduated from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, with a bachelor's degree in nutrition and dietetics. In May of 1998, Patti became a Registered Dietitian. After graduation, Patti held various positions as a dietitian, always with a keen eye toward educating others about the benefits derived from healthy eating habits. Her work allowed Patti to enjoy living in many places: Grand Forks, North Dakota; Rapid City, South Dakota; Waterton, South Dakota, and Denver, Colorado. Patti discovered jazzercise and attended classes several times a week where she fostered many close friendships and a love for the sport. Additionally, Patti became an avid golfer. Her technical knowledge of the sport and her accuracy were two of the reasons others loved to golf with her, but the energy she brought to the game and her ability to genuinely have fun while golfing never went unnoticed. When Patti was not jazzercising or golfing, she loved to spend time with her cats, Kris and Bear. They were a constant source of entertainment and sometimes frustration for her. She also had an affinity for listening to country music, but her '80s music was always near at hand. Kayla had her most constant and strongest supporter in Patti. Kayla was the love of Patti's life. Patti was always there for Kayla with advice, encouragement, a shoulder to cry on, and a mountain of love. Patti shared a most special and lasting relationship with Kayla's paternal grandmother, Doris Stein. Patti began her courageous fight against cancer in January of 1997. Patti's strength of character in walking a path not chosen by her is admired by all who knew her. Patti lost her battle with cancer on February 15, 2008. She will be remembered and loved forever by daughter, Kayla Stein; father, Jerome Tishmack (Maida); mother, Geneva Snider; siblings, Penelope Heinze (Niel), Priscilla Olson, Patrick Tishmack (Jody), Petina Falk (John), Preston Tishmack.