Elizabeth Jane Wirtenberger was born January 26, 1924 in Lidgerwood, North Dakota to Leonard "Wirt" and Elsie (Langfeldt) Wirtenberger.  There are varying stories, but at a young age Elizabeth was nick named Pat, and it stuck!  Pat graduated from High School in Lidgerwood, where her dad was a pharmacist and her mother, a school teacher.  Pat had an older sister, Helen Wirtenberger Leighton, who passed in 2016.  Pat attended North Dakota State Agricultural College (NDSU) in Fargo, where she met a handsome ROTC student, Lawrence "Larry" York.  Larry fought on the European front during WWII, and Pat finished her Bachelor's Degree.  She did her internship as a dietician in NYC.  After the war, Pat and Larry York were married and lived in Washington DC, where Pat worked at George Washington University Hospital, and Larry finished his degree at GWU.  The Yorks moved to Portland, OR in 1951, where they raised their three children – Cathy, John, and Liz. Larry and Pat were very active in their community as members of Grace Memorial Episcopal Church, Columbia Edgewater Country Club, and the Portland Rose Festival's Royal Rosarians.  They both enjoyed golfing, dancing, traveling and supporting their kids' activities.  Larry passed away in 1992, and Pat moved to Glenwood, MN in 2006.  The final 11 years of Pat's life were spent attending church, her grandchildren's events, and enjoying the loving community and staff at Glenwood Village Care Center in Glenwood, MN.  She loved music and dance, and despite her advanced dementia, Pat always responded to music in a joyous way and lovingly shared affection with everyone.

Pat peacefully went to be with her Heavenly Father on January 9, 2017.  Her life is celebrated and death mourned by her children, Catherine L. Pearson (Steven) of Federal Way, WA , John F. York of Portland, OR, Elizabeth A. Helander (David) of Glenwood, MN, her nine grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

A memorial service for Pat York will be held on Monday, January 30, 2017 at 10:00am in the All Saints Chapel at Glenwood Village Care Center.