Patti Sokoloski

Patricia “Patti” (Becker) Sokoloski, 76, currently of Linton, entered eternal peace with her family at her bedside on March 10, 2024, knowing she was loved.

The cemetery committal service will be held at 1 PM on Friday, March 15, 2024, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery south of Mandan followed by a memorial service at 2 PM at Buehler-Larson Funeral Home, 1701 Sunset Drive, Mandan.

Patti was born in Bismarck, ND, on November 7, 1947, the fifth of seven children to Paul and Hildegard (Reyerson) Becker.   She grew up in Bismarck, graduating from Priory High School and Jacks Beauty School and then began working in Beach, ND.  It was there that she met her husband of 51 years, Kenneth “Kenny” Sokoloski.

Kenny and Patti spent most of their years raising their family in Bismarck-Mandan.  They enjoyed bowling, Amoco Rec Club Functions, and watching their kids in activities. Patti created a home where her children and their friends made and shared many stories.

Patti worked at St. Alexius as a unit clerk and a phlebotomist.  She retired early from Medcenter One to spend time with Kenny taking care of their grandchildren in their home on the banks of Square Butte Creek in north Mandan.  Many happy memories were made in this home that was a safe, happy place full of laughter and unconditional love.

After losing their home to the flood in 2011, Patti and Ken relocated to Apache Junction, Arizona.  It was here that they lived retirement to the fullest, making more friends and memories.  Patti was constantly redecorating her patio and keeping Kenny busy with various “improvement projects”.  She also taught ceramic classes.  Patti was able to spend time absorbing the suns warmth, and finally conquered her fear of water so that she could float in the pool, perfecting her tan.

Patti and Ken returned to North Dakota in 2022, to be closer to their family.  They settled in Linton, in the “Ski Lodge”, where Patti not only had patio projects, but also yard projects for Kenny.

Patti had a generous spirit.  She was a care giver at heart, caring for family, grandchildren, and friends. Patti would often say to her grandchildren, “I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck”.

Grateful to have been a part of her life is her husband, Kenneth; daughter, Toni (Jeff) Zainhofsky of Bismarck and their family (James Carlson, Alycia and Cody Arneson); daughter, Paula (Tracy) Moch of Braddock and their children (Johanna, Tracy Jo, and Vonn and Rob (Lisa) and his children, Austin and Dustin); Patti’s sisters, Paulette Schatz, Carolynn (Ron) Decker, and Susan (Chuck) Bosch; her brother, Fr. Paul Becker; brother-in-law, Jim Klooster; sisters-in-law, Karen (Barry) Oliver, Jeanne Sokoloski, and Gayle Stubblefield. She was known as the “fun aunt” to many nieces and nephews and the caring niece to many uncles and aunts. 

Patti joins her brother, Robert “Bob” Becker; sister, Mary Klooster; parents, Paul and Hildegard; parent-in-laws, Anton and Patricia; and brothers-in-law, Vern Schatz and Jim Stubblefield in Heaven.

Patti, after learning of her terminal cancer diagnosis, made the courageous decision to pursue quality of life and spent her time enjoying her family.  The family would like to thank Hospice of the Red River Valley.

“We begin to remember not just you died, but that you lived---And that your life gave us memories to beautiful to forget.” ~ Unknown