Patricia Astrup

Patricia Astrup, 86, of Fergus Falls, died Friday, November 30, 2012, at PioneerCare, Fergus Falls.

She was born June 10, 1926, in Riverside, California, the daughter of Bernard and Claire Thomas. She attended St. Stephen’s Catholic School in Minneapolis and was confirmed in the Roman Catholic Faith. She graduated from high school at St. Margaret’s Academy in Minneapolis. Following high school she graduated as a Registered Nurse from St. Catherine’s College, School of Nursing, in St. Paul.

Patricia was employed in several locations, including: Georgetown University Hospital; Washington D.C.; Sister Kenny Institute, Minneapolis; St. Mary’s Hospital, Minneapolis; State Department of Health, Fergus Falls and Otter Tail County Nursing Service, Fergus Falls. She also volunteered in the RN Program at St. Mary’s Hospital and as an RN for the American Red Cross and the whole blood program in Fergus Falls.

On December 12, 1953, she married Richard Astrup of St. Paul, at St. Stephan’s Catholic Church in Minneapolis. After his retirement from active duty, the couple resided in Columbia Heights and moved to Fergus Falls in August of 1972.

Patricia and Richard were active in the Befriender Ministries for St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church for six years. They traveled throughout Otter Tail County, Fargo and the Wahpeton area. Patricia was a life member of the American Nurses Association, Christian Mother’s Club of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, a member of the Retired Enlisted Auxiliary Association and a life member of the DAV Auxiliary.

She embraced family, friends and neighbors. She also enjoyed various hobbies and activities including: aqua aerobics at the YMCA, walking, clowning (Elk’s Club), and ballroom and square dancing. She was an avid knitter, seamstress, loved reading and remained active with RN higher education. Patricia and Richard enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the United States.

Preceding her in death were her parents; a brother, Vernon and a sister-in-law, Muriel (Sorenson) Thomas.

Survivors include her husband, Richard; daughters, Michele Astrup of Elk River, Elaine (James) Waldschmitt of Johnston, IA and Laurel (William) Callaghan of Eau Claire, WI; ten grandchildren, Jennifer, Kelly and Patrick Zender; Craig, Andrew and Ben Waldschmitt, and Elizabeth, Joseph, Michelle and Meghan Callaghan and four great-grandchildren, Trent, Rilyn, Brooklynn and Ryder Zender.

Visitation: 5-7 pm Tuesday with a prayer service at 6:30 at the funeral home
Mass of Christian Burial: 11 am Wednesday at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, Fergus Falls
Clergy: Father Greg Paffel
Interment: Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery, Little Falls
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com