Obituary
Patricia Renee (Spitzer) Hagerott was called to her heavenly home on July 6, 2022.
A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at First Lutheran Church in Mandan with a lunch to follow. The service will be live streamed at the bottom of this page.
Visitation will be held Monday, July 11, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Buehler-Larson Funeral Home in Mandan.
Patricia (known as Tish by many of her family and friends) was born to Lawrence and Pauline (Hagstrom) Spitzer in Bismarck, North Dakota on October 9, 1941. She was raised on a farm north of Bismarck along with her sister Phyllis (Spitzer) Berreth. She attended first through eighth grade at Burnt Creek School #1 followed by high school at Bismarck High School. She graduated from Jamestown College with a degree in mathematics and obtained a teaching certificate.
While in college, she met Arden Hagerott, the love of her life. They were married in Buffalo, South Dakota on October 5, 1961. From this union came four children: Donavon, Delora, Jonathan, and Janel. They made their home on the Hagerott farm northwest of Mandan. On the farm, she worked side-by-side with Arden swathing hay, combining grains, and caring for the cattle. Standing only 5’3”, she demonstrated strength far greater than her stature. She could outwork anyone. In Pat and Arden’s 60 years of marriage, she taught her children and grandchildren the importance of hard work, perseverance, dedication, and a “never give up” attitude.
After college, she taught in one-room schoolhouses at Square Butte School and Highland School. She then took time off from teaching to raise her children and work on the farm. In 1985, she returned to teaching as a substitute teacher for Mandan Public Schools. In 1997, she resumed teaching full-time as a math and science teacher at Mandan High School. She enjoyed her work and shared her passion for learning with her students.
Throughout her life, Pat was a devoted servant in her church and community. She was a member of First Lutheran Church and the Heart River Church Circle. Her strong faith guided her throughout life, and she relished visiting with her church family. In those visits, Pat placed more value in listening than in speaking. She served her church in many ways but especially enjoyed participating in the Giving Tree at Christmas and serving as the hostess for the annual Lutefisk Lefse Supper.
Pat was also an active member in several organizations in the community including the Lions/Lioness Club, the Crown Butte Homemakers Club, PEO (Philanthropical Educational Organization for Women), and served as leader for her children’s 4-H Club.
The greatest joy in Pat’s life came from watching her children and grandchildren grow and prosper. She was incredibly proud of all their accomplishments and was their biggest fan. She attended every possible band or choir concert, dance recital, and sporting event, whether basketball, track, volleyball, or tennis. Those who knew her will remember her pounding her cane in the stands in support of a good play, and sometimes in disgust at a bad call or a silly foul. After every performance or game, she always gave a big hug and positive comment about how hard they worked.
Pat enjoyed going for rides with Arden in their convertible and loved “going fast” with the wind blowing through her hair. She also looked forward to her monthly PPP (Pizza, Pinochle, and Pie) meetings with dear friends. Her family will miss her famous sloppy joes, caramel rolls, and Rice Krispie bars that she prepared with love.
Patricia is survived and will be deeply missed by her husband Arden, her sister Phyllis Berreth, her children Donavon (Reba) Hagerott, Jonathan (Karen) Hagerott, and Janel (Chad) Olson. Her grandchildren: Jessica Mathews Koch, Justeen Koch, James (Shantel) Koch, Tarren-Lee (Stephanie) Hagerott, Emily Hagerott, Nathan Hagerott, Breanna (Weston) Meckle, Courtney Olson, and Alyssa Olson, great-grandchildren Ethan and Reece Mertz, Jazzlynn Hoon, Austin and Oliver Johnson, Quinn James, Aurora Koch, Cason Hagerott, and Asher Hagerott, her nieces and nephews, and many wonderful friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Pauline Spitzer; her infant daughter, Delora Lynn Hagerott; and grandson, Jordan Hagerott.
The family prefers memorials be directed to First Lutheran Church—408 9th St NW, Mandan, North Dakota 58554.
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