Patricia “Patty” Jeanne Fairfield passed away December 6th, 2023 in Bismarck after a brief, but valiant battle with cancer. Patty was born on December 9th, 1949 in Jamestown, North Dakota to D.W. Darrel “Jake” and Lorraine (Kennison) Fairfield. Patty grew up in Eldridge, ND, attended Eldridge elementary school, and loved to ride her bike, make mud pies with her sister and play dress up with her dollies. She was a beautiful child that loved animals and adventure.

Patty graduated from Jamestown High School in 1967 and attended Jamestown College, graduating witha BA in Sociology in 1971. Remarkably, she graduated college in just 3 1/2 years after taking a semester off to have her daughter, April, in 1969. Patty worked in Vocational Rehabilitation at the North Dakota State Hospital for fifteen years. She was also the manager of Feinstein’s Clothing in Jamestown and also worked at Conlin’s Furniture. She spent two years in southern California working in the unemployment office and she owned Body Tanning and Toning Studio in Jamestown for many years.

Patty met her life partner of more than forty years in 1981, Rodney Mickelson. They resided in Jamestown,ND, Queen Creek, AZ and Bismarck, ND. She possessed a great memory, especially for pop culture and music. She remembered people, events and conversations, fun times, occasions of great laughter, sad moments, discourtesies and backhanded compliments with eidetic precision. She loved, loved, loved music. She loved concerts and went to the Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney many times. She loved crooners like Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. Her latest loves were Chris Stapleton and Bruno Mars. She never, ever missed an awards show.

She was quick witted, sharp tongued, lacked any type of filter and could, occasionally, make a sailor blush. She was open-minded, forgiving and would defend her family, friends, animals and beliefs with the fury of a wildcat. And you never, ever, under any circumstances wanted to argue or even joke about politics with her. She was silly and loved to dress up in crazy outfits and make goofy faces. She did amazing impersonations of Ruth Buzzi as Ernestine the telephone operator, Marlene Dietrich’s “Falling in Love”, and Gloria Swanson in “Sunset Boulevard.” She loved embarrassing her daughter with her antics and impersonations. Even last week she sang, at the top of her weakened lungs, “We represent the Lollipop Guild” to shocked and amused oncology nurses and patients across the 7th floor of Sanford Hospital in Bismarck. She was absolutely cherished for her silliness, humor and wit by those who came to know her.

Patty’s greatest love was her grand-daughter, Kennedy, with whom she had a connection that was ordained in heaven and born in the stars. There is no close second to her love for Kennedy. Patty loved her pets and grieved them intensely when lost. She looked forward to reuniting with them when her journey on earth was complete. She loved her flowers and succulents and had plants that were decades old and taller/bigger than they ever should have been. Patty loved to collect antiques and beautiful, unique collectibles. Patty loved to hunt and fish with her dad, brother and sister. But, after her dad died, the luster for hunting faded, however, the love of fishing never did. Patty’s last trip was a fishing trip with her family to her beloved Lake Lida in Minnesota. She and her son-in-law, Steve, fished from early morning until late at night. That joyful memory sustained her through her last moments on earth.

Patty was preceded in death by her parents, Jake and Lorraine, her older brother, Darrel “Darry” Fairfield all of Eldridge, and her brother-in-law, Dennis Entzminger of Gackle. She is survived by her life partner, Rodney Mickelson, Queen Creek AZ, daughter, April Fairfield DeLap (Steve) Bismarck ND, grand-daughter, Kennedy DeLap, Missoula, MT, sister, Marilyn Entzminger, Bismarck ND, who named her Patricia Jeanne. She leaves behind Nephews: John Fairfield Eldridge ND, Wade McLaughlin, Minneapolis MN, Charles McLaughlin Coeur d’Alene, ID. Nieces: Erin Entzminger, Bismarck ND, Jacci Baker (Lowell) Jamestown ND, Kristen Entzminger Boyd, Peoria, AZ and best friend Nancy McKenzie, Detroit Lakes, MN.

Funeral Service – 5:00 p.m., Saturday, December 9, 2023 at Eddy Funeral Home, Jamestown, with Pastor Erik Weber officiating.

Burial – Eldridge Cemetery, Eldridge, ND.