Barb Fitzpatrick

Barbara Ann Wagner Fitzpatrick (Barb), 89, of Shelby, Montana passed away on May 21st, 2019.

The funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 29th, at 1 PM at St. Francis Catholic Church in Valier. Burial will follow the service at Lakeview Cemetery along with a reception at the church.  Funeral arrangements are being handled by Asper Funeral Homes.

Barb was born in Hatzfeld, Romania on December 22nd, 1929 to Nicholas and Barbara Wagner.  She graduated from Hatzfeld Schools in 1947. She then moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1950. She lived with her maternal grandparents while attending Chicago School of Nursing where she received her diploma of nursing. After she received her degree she moved to Valier, Montana to live with her sister and brother in law.  She worked with them before going to work at St. Mary’s Hospital in Conrad in 1952. After working as a nurse for 22 years Barb retired from nursing in 1974. She  went on to work for the State of Montana as a Social Worker until her retirement in 1994.

While she was working at St. Mary’s Hospital she met the love of her life, Gerald Arther Fitzpatrick, while he was being hospitalized for a broken leg. They were married August 9th, 1956. They made their home in Valier and had two boys, Richard and Peter. Barb and Gary were happily married for 50 years until his passing in 2006.

Barb kept busy after retirement volunteering as a home health nurse in the community. She also worked at the Civic Center in Valier helping cook and delivering meals on wheels. In her spare time she loved to work in the garden and plant flowers.  She also loved cooking, crocheting, traveling, and most importantly spending time with her family.

Survivors include Helene Gartner (sister), Rich Fitzpatrick (son), Kelsey Ramberg (granddaughter), Adam Fitzpatrick (grandson), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Barb is preceded in death by Nicholas and Barbara Wagner (parents), Claus Wagner (brother), Peter Wagner (brother), Tony Wagner (brother), Katherine Zabawa (sister), Gerald Fitzpatrick (husband), and Peter Fitzpatrick (son).

The family of Barb Fitzpatrick wished to thank The Beehive and Marias Medical Center for the exceptional care she received over the years.