Patricia A. Rudolph

Patricia Ann (Hall) Rudolph of Gillette, passed peacefully onto the Lord at Primrose Retirement Community in Gillette, Wyoming on October 8, 2024 at the age of 82. 

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, October 14, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Ernie Bishop officiating; interment will follow at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery in Gillette, Wyoming. 

She was born on October 23, 1941 and welcomed by her parents, Clara (Patton) and Clyde Hall, at the family's homestead along the Tongue River in Decker, Montana. At that time, she joined an older sister, along with three older half-sisters and a half-brother. She attended grades 1st-8th at Squirrel Creek School in Decker, Montana. She and her sister walked or rode the family horse to the one room school house until her family purchased a second home in Sheridan for her and her sister to finish their schooling at the Sheridan High School in Sheridan, Wyoming where she graduated with the Class of 1959. Prior to moving to Gillette and still living in Sheridan she worked at the Padlock Ranch helping her older sister, June, prepare food for the ranch hands and at the Sheridan Coil Factory.

Pat married her husband, John Rudolph on September 5, 1959 in Sheridan, Wyoming, the couple later divorced. They welcomed their honeymoon baby and first child, daughter, Bronwen in 1960. In 1963 and 1965 they added their second daughter, Bridget followed by their son, Jeffrey. The family moved to Gillette in 1963 during the oil field boom, where Pat's husband went to work as a welder at L&H Welding and Machine Shop, while Pat cared for their children at their home. A few years later, she and her husband started their own mobile welding business, Rudolph's Welding Service which they operated for 30+ years until their retirement. Pat took care of the bookkeeping end of the business, while also supporting their children and volunteering her time to the many activities they were involved in, including 4H, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and other school sports, clubs and activities. Pat loved to craft and joined the National Handcraft Society "Fad" of the month club after moving to Gillette for activities for her and her young family to enjoy. Many "crafting" days were held at her home and her family members still today enjoy crafting from their exposure and enjoyment that she started in their early years. As a family they enjoyed camping, boating and traveling.

As her children became older, she began pursuing her own interest in volunteering and joining community organizations in Gillette and served in many leadership roles within them. She was a member of the Campbell County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, N.E.W. Quilters Guild, Prairie Point Quilters, Beta Sigma Phi International, and local bible study groups. During her time with the Campbell County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, she was instrumental in bringing the Lifeline Medical Alert System to Gillette serving many residents in the community. She loved attending quilting retreats with friends, and Beta Sigma Phi state conventions which she became an angel member with 25 years of membership. In the 1980's Pat also worked as a receptionist at Guys & Gals and Plaza Hair Fashions salons. She always had time to help those in need and volunteer her time when asked. Pat enjoyed gardening, reading, traveling, antique shopping and auctions. Pat had a love for old things from days gone by and restored many beautiful pieces at the Northeast Wyoming Refinishing workshops over the years. While the family always had pets at one time or another, Pat especially loved cats. She rehomed many over the years and tended to them in the barn. She was sometimes referred to as the "Cat Lady" by her family. While she had started many collections over the years, her cat collection of figurines, art and handicrafts out did all the others.

 Pat loved being a mother but she lived to be a grandmother to her 5 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Her home was filled with laughter and fun from her grands who loved spending time there. She attended as many of their events as she could, offering her love, support and celebrating their accomplishments. Pat loved the holiday's and burned a lot of midnight oil over the years preparing for her family. From making their favorite foods, homemade candies and cookies, her coveted popcorn balls and decorating almost every room in her home. She passed on several traditions to her family from her own upbringing while creating news ones that will be passed on for generations to come. During the family's early years and before her children had their own families, many holiday celebrations were spent in Sheridan with her family members still living there. One of the most treasured for many was the Easter egg hunt at the family homestead at Decker. Adults and children alike were expected to find a Brach's marshmallow egg with their name taped on top where they were hidden amongst the out buildings and farming equipment, followed by home churned ice cream. Many faded foil marshmallow packages were left to be found the following year due to the good hiding skills by the "Easter Bunny". Pat left her family with so many treasured memories.

 Pat was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Virginia (Hall) Brosius, half-sisters: Lucile (Blevins) Shreve, June (Blevins) Fox Gilkison, Josie (Blevins) Schreibeis; half-brother, Robert Blevins. 

She is survived by her children: Bronwen Anderson of Cheyenne, Bridget (Brian) Griffin and Jeff (Julie) Rudolph of Gillette; her 5 grandchildren: Brittany (Mike) Henson, Stephanie Rudolph, MacKenzie (Kyle) Barbula and Cameron Griffin all of Gillette and Danielle (Shawn) Beach of Cheyenne and her 12 great-grandchildren of Gillette and Cheyenne. Also, numerous nieces and nephews from around the United States, along with many treasured friends she gathered along her life journey here on this earth. 

The family gives a huge thank you to the caregivers and residents of Primrose Retirement Community for their friendship and love they gave Pat her during her residence there.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you support your favorite cause or donate to your local pet shelter in her memory.

To watch the livestream of Pat’s funeral, express memorials and condolences please visit Gillette Memorial Chapel's website at www.gillettememorialchapel.com. Memorials or donations can be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716.