Patricia Ann Funke

Patricia Ann Funke, 91, died at her Polson, Montana, home on Saturday, April 29, 2023. She was surrounded by family and passed peacefully. Patricia was born January 19, 1932, at Holy Family Hospital in St. Ignatius, Montana, and was the daughter of George Roy and Ruby (Archie) Morigeau.

Patricia graduated from Polson High School, Class of 1951, where she was baton twirler and Carnival Queen. She was a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) and grew up at Kerr Dam where her father worked at the dam project. Children were known there as Dam Kids. Following high school graduation, Patricia married Thomas Edward Funke on August 15, 1953. Together they had seven children, 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and through marriage, two step-grandchildren, and one step-great-grandson.

Patricia had a career beginning with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and then for the CSKT in the Division of Lands. She helped husband Thomas raise cattle and cooked huge family dinners that everyone loved. People would volunteer at branding time just to come eat her food. Family was very important to Patricia, and she was matriarch of the family. She also enjoyed horseback riding, family gatherings, and gardening.

In addition to her parents, Patricia was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas, daughter, Janet Marie, grandson, Kane, brother, George Roy, Jr., sister, Helen, and sister, Janet.