Patricia (Pat) Ann Ponto

life story

Loving wife, mother and friend

Patricia Ann Eide was born April 12, 1939, in western South Dakota to Harold and Ruth (Bohnsack) Eide. It was during the seventh year of drought; there was no crop for her farming family and food was scarce. That and her dad's poor health forced them to move several times and finally to Minneapolis by age 3.

School days were in south Minneapolis at Howe Elementary, Sanford Junior High and Roosevelt High School and then Augsburg College where she graduated in 1960. While working at a neighborhood corner drugstore serving Cherry Cokes and Malted Milks she met LeRoy Ponto. They were married August 24, 1961. The joy of her life was being wife to Lee and mother to Cathy, Jeff and Beth. After Lee's untimely death in 1985, Pat enrolled at Normandale College and graduated as a Registered Nurse at age 50. She had a 22 year nursing career ending with her favorite role - that of a Hospice Nurse. It was a career she seemed to be created for.

As a young mother Pat went annually to Camp Patmos as a counselor, then as nurse and later as cook. She went in her 80's, even in 2025, as Grandma to the youngest campers. Ever concerned for the needs of the world, especially that everyone know Jesus, Mission Trips were a favorite. Pat went two times to Russia. Especially touching to her were the needs she saw in the small and impoverished country of Romania. Pat spoke no foreign language but rather the Language of Love -- words of encouragement, kind words.

Pat said often that her favorite part of life was being a wife and mom. Later she became Grandma (GP) to Sam, Emily, Joe, Abby, Jordan, Noah, Sarah and Ben. Pancakes, some with blueberries, followed by the Vikings game, with the hope that this would be the victory day were favorites. She knew the names and the stories of her favorite players. Recently she celebrated in New Hampshire the first birthday of her first Great Granddaughter Meredith.

Pat's health became an issue beginning in Mid October. She entered United Hospital November 20th. Doctors discovered she had a severe blood infection. This and other complications were the cause of death. Sadly, she passed away on Sunday, November 23rd surrounded by her children.

Pat is survived by her children, Cathy (Steve) Shields, Jeff Ponto, Beth Ponto, her grandchildren, Sam (Emma), Emily (Jordan) Hoekstra, Joe, Abby Shields, Noah, Sarah and Ben Ponto, Jordan Ponto, one sister Delores Berkas, and one brother-in-law Brian (Becky) Ponto, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Pat's Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 13th, at 12:30pm at Trinity of Minnehaha Falls Lutheran Church, 5212 41st Ave S, Mpls, Lunch to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hands of Help or Fort Snelling Chapel.