Patsy Marie Stensaker-Ives

Patsy “Pat” Marie Stensaker-Ives (Randall), 76, passed away Friday, June 5, 2015 at Peace Hospice after a long battle with COPD. She was with her family when her mission on Earth was finished. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at 3:00 pm at O’Connor Memorial Chapel, 2425 8th Avenue North. A celebration of Pat’s life to follow at the Black Eagle Community Center, 2332 Smelter Ave. O’Connor Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Patsy was born to Timothy and Ragna Randall on March 21, 1939 in Sanish, North Dakota. She grew up a tomboy in a farming community, which as she said, got her into trouble from time to time. This was where her love for animals started. She was always trying to find a new pet whether it be a horse or a turtle. She loved all animals. When Patsy was young she fell for a horse at the stock yard. Her mom bought her the horse, which she named Prince. Patsy loved Prince and since they had no running water, Patsy would ride Prince to the blacksmith shop twice a day to water him. Ragna paid 48 dollars for Prince. The summer after 8th grade Patsy started working at Joe’s Café in Newtown and soon realized she had a second passion besides animals—one for cooking. After moving to Montana she worked at the Loft Restaurant as well as the Iron kettle. Her cinnamon rolls were everyone’s favorite and worth the trip to Westgate to have one. In 1992 she started her own restaurant called the PDQ. She started in the Pin and Cue and later moved to the O’Haire Motor Inn. She loved to cook and was very good at it. In 2000 Patsy decided to close the restaurant and retire. In retirement, she spent time with her animals, played golf as well as watched tournaments on tv. She and her husband Ben of 38 years enjoyed traveling every now and again. She loved doing jigsaw and crossword puzzles. She was a very strong person with a great sense of humor. Patsy always said, “Keep a roll of duct tape on hand, it fixes everything,” “Only tell your secrets to your animals,” or “God forbid that I should go to any Heaven where there are no Horses.” She truly loved animals. Patsy is survived by her husband, Ben Ives; sisters Gloria Eklund of Nevada, Ester Krebsbach of North Dakota; daughters Sheila (JP) Omeara of Idaho, Robin (Mark) Nelson of Utah, and Suzanne (Herman) Brewer of Great Falls; sons Kelly Rolfe of Great Falls and Kenny (Carol) Rolfe of Wyoming; 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Patsy was preceded in death by her parents Timothy and Ragna; brother Alvin; and granddaughter Crystal. Patsy gave to numerous organizations. Among them were the Montana Horse Sanctuary, The Great Falls Rescue Mission and St. Labre. Please send any donations to one of Patsy’s organizations she was involved with.