Patty Ann (Sletten) Monson

Patricia Ann Monson, nee Sletten

After nearly 15 mostly optimistic years of battling Parkinson’s disease, Patty’s spark – her admirable strength, her determination and will, her spunk and love of life – is no more. On Thursday, August 7th, 2025, at age 83, Patty died in the twilight hours of the full moon knowing that her loved ones’ gentle hand-holding and hugs, their tender sentiments and tears were there to help guide her passing.

Born to Allen and Lorraine Sletten on December 9, 1941, a Tuesday, in Willmar, MN. Patty grew up alongside her big sister and, later, her little brother primarily on the family farm in Shevlin, MN. The farm is where, from her mother, she learnt her lifelong gardening, harvesting, and cooking and canning skills, as well as how to help tend her father’s dairy cows and other livestock. Her parents, both musicians, likewise seeded within her a love of music and ‘barn-dancing’. It was there in Shevlin, with her long braids and ponytails sashaying in all directions, that she attended grade school in what was commonly referred to as a “one-room schoolhouse,” where she was remembered as a helpful, considerate student and an eager learner. In the winter months the little schoolhouse remained the catalyst for how and why Patty learned to love cross-country skiing. As there were no buses to transport students, she literally skied “over the river and through the woods” along the snow-covered trail that bordered her father’s fields. Patty graduated from high school in Grand Marais after her family purchased an A&W drive-in, in Tofte, MN, where she was a carhop. It was there at the drive-in that, in 1958, she met John Monson, her soon-to-be husband – ultimately, her best friend and companion and, eventually, her supportive and understanding caregiver. Together, John and Patty had five children all within a five-year span of time. As parents, the two of them provided their children with a beautiful home in Embarrass – the first of four that, together, they would build from the ground up – along with many, mostly outdoorsy types of adventures, of which simultaneously bestowed life-long memories. On August 29th of this year, John and Patty would have been married a total of sixty-six years.

Patricia is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved sister, Marilyn Norby; her son, Terry; her son, Bruce; her great-granddaughter, Xoi; numerous in-laws and other family members; and many, many cherished friends.

She is survived by her best friend and dance partner, John; her brother, Douglas; her sons, Joel and Jim; her daughter, Kim; 20 grand- and great grand -children; numerous nephews, nieces, in-laws on both her and her husband John’s side; and many kind, caring friends.

Patricia’s funeral arrangements have been made with Range Funeral Home in Virginia. A service will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m.; Pastor Christina Forsythe will commence a ceremony of honor and remembrance at 11:00 a.m., with a luncheon to follow. She will be laid to rest at a later time in the Embarrass Cemetery.

"Sleep. We Sleep, That We May Dream While We May" ~ Neil Diamond, Jonathan Livingston Seagull.