Patricia Lou (Martin) Blood, 69, of Columbia Falls died of Lou Gehrig's disease Sept. 18, surrounded by family and friends.

Patricia was born in Hill City, Minn., on June 13, 1937, to Maurice and Nethalee Martin, at home with the help of a midwife.

She spent her childhood days in Minnesota before moving to Ferndale and then Bigfork, where she attended school and enjoyed attending school reunions for years to come.

The second child and the only blonde in a family that grew to 17 children, she was always happy and loving. She always said, 'Life is too short to fight!' and never took sides. Her home was always open to everyone, and a lot of family and friends loved to visit.

Pat married Don Mapston and later divorced. They had two sons together, Donald and Douglas. She is survived by both Donald and his wife, Brenda, and Douglas and his wife, Jeanne. They gave her five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren who all called her 'GG.' They all live in Conroe, Texas. Pat spent as much time as she could with them and was very proud of them all. She cherished the precious moments with her grandbabies.

On Feb. 4, 1961, she married the love of her life, Lloyd Blood, and together they had their precious little red-headed daughter, Crystal, who is married to BJ Hader, and stepson, Cody, all of Columbia Falls. Crystal later would take care of both of her parents through their illnesses with love and devotion. Lloyd died March 30, 2004. Pat took such great care of Lloyd during his illness, and we all hoped she would be able to enjoy life after he was gone, but it was not meant to be. A year later, she was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease that would take her speech first, but never took her spirit. She would say, 'You gotta take what is dealt to you and go on.'

Pat cleaned homes for many little ladies and did housekeeping in Whitefish, the Park and in Columbia Falls. Along with taking care of little ladies' needs, she loved to follow Crystal's sports. She also loved to grow beautiful plants, bowl, fish and pick huckleberries for making jams and jellies that we all cherished and raided her cellar for.

Pat was preceded in death by her mother, father, sister Tawny, and husband of 43 years, Lloyd.

Pat is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nine sisters, six brothers, many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and a lot of very good friends.

'You were the best mother, wife, sister, grandma and friend. We will miss you dearly! You were always there for us and we won't know what to do without you in our lives, but we will remember your love and guidance through the years. We will never forget you; you will be in our hearts forever. God always takes the best!'

The family suggests memorial donations be made to Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell, MT 59901.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 22, at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.