By HDN Staff
Ida Patera, 86, died Monday, Dec. 3, 2001, at a Havre elder care facility of natural causes.
A prayer vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Holland and Bonine Funeral Chapel. Funeral Mass will be 2 p.m. Friday at St. Jude Catholic Church in
Havre, followed by burial at the Calvary Cemetery in Havre.
Ida was born Sept. 10, 1915, to Leon and Josephine (Gasiarowski) Chagnon at Havre. She was the second of nine children. Ida attended local schools and graduated from Havre High School in 1934. On June 23, 1936, Ida married Anton Patera at the St. Jude Catholic Church in Havre. They farmed and ranched north of Havre in the Simpson area, where they raised their four children.
While living on the farm, Ida was a member of the St. John's Catholic Church in Cottonwood. She was also an active member of the Altar Society, Lady's Aide, Home Demonstration, and 4-H Leadership. In 1966, their son Paul and his family entered into farming and ranching on the home place and Ida moved into Havre, becoming a full-time resident. After moving to Havre, she became an active member of the local Eagles Auxiliary. A 50-year Eagles member, she served as past auxiliary president. Ida was an accomplished cook and baker, who took pride in serving delicious meals to her family, friends, and Eagle Club dinners.
Ida's greatest pleasure was gained from sharing her time and helping her family members and friends. She also enjoyed traveling, camping, gardening, canning and sewing. With failing health, Ida moved into the Country Heart Home in Havre in 1995.
Ida was preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Josephine (Gasiarowski) Chagnon; husband, Anton Patera in 1986; son, Paul Patera in 1999; sister, Helen Anderson; brothers, George, Bill, Lee and Fred Chagnon.
Survivors include her daughter, Carolyn (Richard) Stremcha of Cascade; sons, James Patera of Cut Bank and Robert (Lela) Patera of Havre; former daughters-in-law, Angela Patera and Doris Patera-Halverson; sisters, Laura Sheehy of Big Sandy and Minnie Davey of south Havre; brother, Paul Chagnon of Havre; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; special care giver, Irene Bitz-Holden of Havre.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Catholic Church, 624 Fourth St., Havre, MT 59501; Havre Eagles Auxiliary, 202 First St., Havre, MT 59501; Alzheimer's Fellowship, N. Central Chapter, 510 First Ave. N., Room 102, Great Falls, MT 59401, or to a person's choice.
Services and arrangements are under the direction of the Holland and Bonine Funeral Home.
