Pattie Marcia Prewett

Pattie Marcia (Egeland) Prewett passed away at the age of 89 on Friday, Dec. 30, 2016, at the Central Montana Medical Center in Lewistown, Mont., due to complications from influenza and pneumonia.

There will be a Celebration of Life scheduled sometime this Spring.

She was born Pattie Marcia Egeland on May 26, 1927, to Mrytle (Woods) Egeland and Karl Egeland. She grew up on the family farm in the Dovetail/Valentine community until the age of 9, when the family moved to Lewistown. After graduating from Fergus County High School in 1946, she married Thomas Allin Prewett of Simms, Mont., on Dec. 24, 1946. Tom, a former Army sergeant from Troop C 112th Cavalry, worked as a telegrapher for Great Northern Railroad.

Their first child, Patricia Lynne (Prewett) Gamble, was born Dec. 20, 1947. Gary Karl Prewett came along four years later on May 15, 1951. In 1953, Tom and Pattie moved to Peerless, where he worked as the depot agent and as a massage therapist.

In 1967, the family moved to Glasgow and Tom commuted to Peerless until 1969, when he retired from the railroad. It was then that she and Tom started a massage therapy business in their home, treating clientele from Montana and Canada. In 1994, Gary passed away in an accident at the age of 43. Tom passed at age 73, from natural causes in 1998.

Pattie and her long-time friend, Sever Belle, a farmer from Canada, had 17 wonderful winters in Arizona enjoying square dancing there, and in Montana and Canada. She even learned how to swim and drive a combine. A few years ago, she began experiencing bouts of dementia, however, she remained chipper, physically healthy, and as active as ever. She was in better shape than most 50-year-olds and looked as young to boot.

She had recently been living with her daughter and son-in-law, Lynne and Jim Gamble of Lewistown.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Prewett; a son, Gary Prewett; one sister, Carlita Ferdinand Davidson; and one nephew, Jim Ferdinand.

Survivors include a daughter, Lynne; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She believed, "All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today."

She was a spiritual person who constantly educated herself on natural medicines and treatments. She enjoyed getting to know her clients, bowling, hiking, dress making and yard work. She liked to keep busy. Her true passion was square dancing, and she was very good at it. One of her favorite quotes, "Life isn't about waiting for the storm, it's about learning to dance in the rain." Her wisdom will never be forgotten.