Patricia Ann Seidlitz

Patricia “Pat” Seidlitz, 91, of Chester Montana passed away on February 5, 2026, at her condo in Great Falls, Montana surrounded by her loving family. There will be a Vigil on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 5:00pm at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Chester, Montana. The funeral service will be held at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Chester Montana on February 21, 2026, at 10:00am. Burial will follow the service at the Chester cemetery. Asper Funeral Homes are handling funeral arrangements.

Pat was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on February 1, 1935, to Frank and Ida Jodlowski. Pat lived in Oklahoma and Arkansas until she was 10 years old. When Pat was four her parents divorced and she and her two brothers, Frank and Julius, went to live with her maternal grandparents, John and Freddie McBride. This is where her faith history and journey began.

She graduated from high school in Chamberlain South Dakota in 1953 after attending 12 different schools – her parents moved often as Ben worked in the construction industry. The Bible lessons from her grandmother stayed with Pat and every Sunday she would take her brothers to church. Each Sunday they would decide which church they wanted to go to, and her parents allowed them to attend church except for the “Holy Rollers” churches. She attended Methodist, Congregational, Church of Christ, Baptist, Catholic, Brethren, Presbyterian, and Episcopal before moving to Chester at the age of 18. When Pat arrived in Chester, she attended the Lutheran and Methodist churches and then met Jack and started going to the Catholic Church. She worked in the county attorney law office and Clerk of Court’s office and attended Northern Montana College in Havre.

Pat was married to Jack Seidlitz on April 16, 1955, and remained married until Jack passed in 2019. Pat was baptized Catholic in December just before she was married. Jack and Pat had seven children, six sons and one daughter. Their youngest son, Gary, died when he was almost 2 years old. Pat noted the Lord was good to us at the very tragic time in our lives. He had given us the faith and good friends who helped us through that dark valley. Pat’s sixth child was a rubella baby, mom having the measles when she was just pregnant with him - he was born hard of hearing and had other nerve damage. Paul went to live with Pat’s mother and dad in California so he could attend better schooling than was available in Montana. Pat’s mom and dad raised Paul, and her youngest brother, Julius, who lived with them made sure Paul attended the Catholic Church. Pat was a wife and full-time mother to her 7 children as well as four of Dick Seidlitz’s boys (Summers) and our second family the Dolezal family (school year).

Pat went back to work when her children became college age, worked for the County, and ran for Clerk of Court as the Democratic candidate. Pat won 3 elections before retiring, serving a total of 20 years to the County in various positions. Pat loved being the Clerk of Court and was known throughout the State as someone to look to for help with any questions. Serving the people of Liberty County was her pleasure and helping people brought her great satisfaction. Pat took courses from MSU while Clerk of Court and was a certified Clerk of Court. One of her personal goals came to fruition after she retired, when she studied and received an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice via the internet, proving she would not be “one-upped” by her children’s college education. Pat was immensely proud of all her children going to college.

Pat enjoyed riding her bike, gardening, bowling, loved playing bridge (Life Master), was active in the Catholic Church and many Bible studies. Pat especially loved harvest and drove a combine for over 50 years and enjoyed traveling.

She served as Secretary, President and Vice-President of the local Democratic Women’s Club and Secretary to the Central Committee, Regional Director of Region II, Democratic Women, Secretary of the State Democratic Women’s Club as well as various committees appointed by the State President and served several times as a delegate to the State Platform Committee.

There were many good people along the way to welcome Pat into Saint Mary’s Church. Women such as Peg Cole, Irene Harmon, Louis Schwab, Ameilia Schaeffer, Mina Gagnon, Mrs. Pete Kuhry; these ladies made Pat feel special and welcome, and they were always very dear to her. They, by their love and example, helped Pat’s faith grow. Over the years, Pat was active in the life at St. Mary’s period for over 30 years. She and her husband Jack were in the choir. She was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, attended Alter Society and was an officer for many years serving as president. She was also President of the District Catholic Women and Vice President of the Diocese and Women. She served a serve served on the First Council for Saint Mary’s and again later. She served on the Education Commission and was a Lector and Eucharistic Minister. Pat believed she grew the most in the “Renew” program. Pat, along with Jack, sang in the choir for over 30 years.

One of Pat’s most satisfying activities was she was a co-trustee of the Reiland scholarship fund with Darby O’Brien. They managed a farm for a former teacher who died and left the farm to them for school scholarship and community purposes. Over 3/4 of $1 million was granted to local students. The Pharma sold the money put in a community fund while Pat helped oversee the granting of scholarships each year to deserving students and useful community endeavors such as the local swimming pool and daycare facility.

Pat served two terms on the board of directors of the Sweetgrass Lodge facility which is a 40-unit housing for retirement age. The lodge has been given outstanding praise as one of the best in the state and Pat thoroughly enjoyed being a part of making sure the residents live in beautiful, comfortable surroundings.

Pat had an incredibly strong commitment to her church, her family, community, and her environment. Writing letters and working on resolutions for the betterment of society was a compelling force in her life, and she was content to work behind the scenes and help candidates rather than getting into the political arena. She felt she was blessed to have been nurtured by good Democrats when she was younger, and that made her a better wife, mother, friend, and servant to her community.

Pat belonged to the first Great Books discussion group formed in Chester and enjoyed discussion groups and small ladies' groups throughout her life.

Pat often noted that her family spelled happiness to her, and the greatest joys were when her family and friends got together, including all her children and their spouses and their children and their children. Pat often said, “I feel so blessed to have the family I have!”

Survivors include her children, John (Pam, his wife), Mark (Elena, his wife), Roger, Kelly (Annette, his wife), Anne, and Paul. Pat is survived by grandchildren Jeremy, Jeff, Gabriel, Russell, Jenny, Zachery, Taylor, and Derek and great-grandchildren ….

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Ida Hull, her husband, Jack, her brothers, Frank, and Julius, her son, Gary, and many friends and other extended family members.

The family of Pat Seidlitz wants to thank all the family, friends, acquaintances, and everyone that has sent flowers, cards, messages, and prayers – it shows us how much our mom was loved.