Patricia Regli

Patricia (Pat) Regli, 90, a Montana native who lived in Lewistown for nearly 60 years, died on Friday, Dec. 9, at the Valle Vista Manor. Pat was born in Roberts, Montana on March, 13th 1926, to James and Margaret (Bertrand) Barry. She grew up on a farm with her older sister Cecelia and brothers George and Jack. She attended schools in Roberts and graduated in 1944 as valedictorian with her eight classmates. After high school she attended Eastern Montana Normal School in Billings and then taught one year at the Wilson School in the Cooney Dam area and at a school in Opheim, Montana. She continued to teach for another two to three years at a country school located between Billings and Laurel. In 1957 she came to Lewistown to work for Standard Oil Co. as a secretary. She met her first husband, Ralph Grass, in Lewistown, and they were married in 1960. In 1962, their child, Julie, was born. Pat then worked for Federal Land Bank as a loyal and dedicated secretary for 18 years until her retirement. In 1969, she met her current husband, Dick Regli, and they were married on Feb. 21, 1970. They made their home on Seventh Avenue until 1981, when they moved to the Bonanza Hills area of Lewistown.

     Pat loved to go out dancing with Dick, her sister Cecelia and Cecelia’s husband, Ray Bibeau, and socializing with friends at the Eagles and Elks clubs. Her hobbies included golfing, going for drives in the country, crafting and sewing. Butterflies and butterfly decorations were among her favorite things. She loved to bake and preserve fruits and vegetables. She often visited Dick’s family up Beaver Creek and occasionally picked berries there so she could preserve some of the best chokecherry and gooseberry jellies around. She took pride in cooking holiday meals for the extended family. About 10 years ago, Pat and Dick moved into the Eagles Manor, where she enjoyed the social atmosphere and loved to dress in elaborate homemade costumes for the Manor’s Halloween parties. Her very best friend was her sister Cecelia, who for many years lived a block away from Pat while both were raising their children. Pat and Cecelia continued to be very close while both lived at the Eagles Manor.

     She had a volunteering spirit and was an active member of St. Anne’s Guild and Eagles Club Auxiliary, and a member and volunteer with the Central Montana Medical Center Auxiliary, the “Pink Ladies” which she served for nearly 44 years. She was a devout Catholic and her faith in the Lord was her guide and strength for most of her life. Her faith got her through the death of her first husband as well as the heart surgery of her daughter Julie at age 2. She enjoyed visiting Julie in the various cities where Julie lived after leaving Lewistown and fondly spoke of a 1986 cruise in Alaska with Dick, Cecelia and Ray.

     She is survived by her husband, Dick Regli; daughter, Julie Armstrong, two grandchildren, Ian and Kyle Armstrong, of Vancouver, WA; brother, John “Jack” (Lois) Barry of Yuma, AZ; and numerous nieces and nephews.

     She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Ralph; her brother George; and her sister Cecelia.

     Pat will be missed greatly by her husband, daughter, grandchildren, brother, and the rest of her extended family. We know she is now in the loving arms of Jesus, and we find comfort in this.

     A celebration of Pat’s life will take place in the spring when family and friends can travel safely to Lewistown. Cloyd Funeral Home is assisting the family.

     The family suggests memorials to the Central Montana Medical Center Auxiliary or to a charity of the donor’s choice; memorials may be left at Cloyd Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.