Patricia Sue Binger

Patricia Sue Binger was born in Long Beach, California on October 1, 1944, to Margaret and Hiram Hovick. Ten days later, having never even met her, her father was killed in a DC-3 crash while on a food dropping mission in the Burma/India area during WWII. Pat and her mother then moved to Minneapolis to be closer to family, where Pat subsequently grew up. When Pat was 16 years old, her mother remarried, Russell Renstrom. Pat had to move from the city to Willmar, switching high schools her senior year. Pat went on to graduate from St. Cloud State, where she met James M. (Mac) Binger. 

In 1967, she married Mac, the love of her life. While he flew two tours in the Navy during the Vietnam War aboard the USS Coral Sea aircraft carrier, she was an elementary teacher in Wayzata, Florida and California. When Mac finished his service, they returned to Minnesota briefly, where they welcomed daughter Erika Lynn. They then moved onto a ranch they purchased in Big Arm, Montana where children Meghan Marie and Benjamen McKnight were born.

Pat was an active member and President of Western Montana Cattlewomen, supportive of her church circle, a Campfire and 4H leader, active in Bible studies, co-author of a Chronological Biblical Character study, a member of PEO and a director of the McKnight Foundation. Pat was always present at her children’s activities and especially proud of their lives.

Pat was full of energy, ideas and ambitions. After her children left home and she was an “empty nester” she had more time to implement some of them. A few of her favorites: “All In Stitches - More Than A Quilt Shop,” which she purchased because she didn’t want to see another business in town close. Although quilting was a hobby of hers, owning and operating a store was an entirely new adventure. She found it both challenging and rewarding and rose to the task; Rancher’s Wife, a book she wrote and published documenting the surprising adventures and challenges she faced living on the ranch; “Cousin’s Camp”, an ambitious and sometimes overwhelming week with the grandchildren to instill values, connect with each other, and create memories; “Petra-The Flathead Lake Monster,” a beautiful sculpture she commissioned to give our community something that could draw people in and create a sense of pride and culture. 

Although Pat and Mac enjoyed traveling to many places, Pat enjoyed the trips with family and friends the best. Pat is survived by Mac, her beloved husband of 57 years and her children who she considered her greatest gift: Erika, Meghan and husband Zeke (Brown), Ben and wife Anne (Paulson); as well as her favorite grandchildren: Shayden and Quincy Brown; Holden, Samuel and Maizy Binger.

On February 27, 2025, while surrounded by her loved ones, cancer defeated Pat’s body, but her soul is with Our Savior. We are at peace knowing she is singing, laughing and dancing in heaven until we meet again.

A Celebration of Life will be held May 10, 2025, at New Life Church in Polson. Join us at 10:30 am dressed in fun colors. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Boys and Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation and Lake County.