Patricia (Pat) Hess

Longtime resident of our world, with intermittent stops in Sioux Falls, Watertown, Portland, OR, North Platte, NE, Clark, New Effington and Rosholt was recently called to rejoin the All Hess Band which has been performing above and beyond without their lead singer. Having completed her work here with enthusiasm and vigor, The Lord gave his blessing and permission to her and opened the way for Pat to traverse the between and take her place with him and the Crown of Angels above. Having passed all the auditions and preliminary engagements, including singing in the St. Michael's Catholic Church Choir, Pat joined the elite group directed by St. Michael on June 8, 2012. Those of us who have known and love Pat Hess know that the Heavens above have become an even more desirable and pleasing destination filled with wonderful and celestial music. We who look forward to being with our loved ones again can only anticipate with great expectations the joy of hearing and seeing those who have paved the way. But first let us divert from the future and enjoy the past. Patricia A. Hess, age 94, of Rosholt, SD and formerly of Clark and Watertown, died on Friday evening, June 8, 2012 at the Rosholt Care Center in Rosholt. She was the widow of Albert J. (Al) Hess. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 from 5-7PM with a Liturgical Wake service beginning at 7PM all in the Furness Funeral Home Chapel at Clark. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, June 14, 2012 at 10:30 AM in the St. Michael's Catholic Church at Clark with The Reverend John Short officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Boniface Cemetery at Clark. Eileen Heilman will be the organist with Diane Varilek as song leader. The casketbearers will be her 11 grandchildren Dan, Joe, Marc and Jaci Fritz, Phillip, Charles , Barbara Hess, Jayne Ann and Jackie Hess, McKayla LaBorde and Michael Beach. She was born Patricia Agnes Goss on December 12, 1917 at Watertown, SD, the daughter of Charles LeRoy and Estelle (Murta) Goss. She was the last surviving granddaughter of Charles Goss who built the Goss Opera House on the corner of Kemp and Maple in Watertown. As a youth, Pat attended the Immaculate Conception Grade School in Watertown. The family then moved to Sioux Falls where she attended Cathedral High School, graduating with the class of 1937. On January 23, 1940, she was united in marriage to Albert J. Hess of Clark at the old St. Michael's Catholic Church in Clark. They resided in Clark after their marriage where they raised their family. Pat had a lovely alto voice and was the vocalist in her husband's band, the Al Hess Orchestra. They played for dances for some 40 years. Also, after her children were raised, Pat worked outside the home. She did home health care for ICAP for several years around Clark, was employed at Edna's Dress Shop in Clark, worked for McCain Foods in Clark and was the supper cook for the Clark Care Center for many years. Al and Pat also managed the Clark Playhouse Dance Hall for several years. Following Al's death on December 2, 1988 she continued to make Clark her home until moving to Nebraska and living near her daughter and then in recent years she returned to Watertown and lived in the Sunchase Apts. She was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church of Clark, a member of the altar society, a CCD Teacher and sang in St. Michael's Church Choir for many years. Music and dancing were her hobbies along with sewing and raising flowers. She enjoyed reading her Kindle, and in her words "looking at the sky, clouds and trees". Among survivors grateful for having shared in her life are her children, Don (Donna) Hess of Tucson, AZ, Judi (John) Fritz of New Effington, SD, Margaret (Craig) Beach of Lincoln, NE, Dr. James (Nikki) Hess of Bemidji, MN and Tom (Jackie) Hess of Mitchell, SD; 11 grandchildren, Dan, Joe, Marc and Jaci Fritz, Phillip, Charles , Barbara Hess, Jayne Ann and Jackie Hess, McKayla LaBorde and Michael Beach; 16 great grandchildren, Emily, Brooke, Austin, Brandon, Meghan, Ava, Macy and Emma Fritz, McKenzie, Josiah and Abby Hess, Carter, Benjamin and Fletcher LaBorde and Avery and Emalyn Beach. Also surviving is a sister-in-law, Helen Gottsleben of Brookings, and many nieces, nephews and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a son Michael Hess, brothers, Charles, Ralph, Jack, Jerry, Barney and 2 infant brothers and sisters Lois, Toddy, Jane, Jessce, and Corrine. Funeral arrangements are with the Furness Funeral Home at Clark where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com