Patricia Carol (Kinder) Thornton Newcomb, 71, “entered into eternal life” on April 27, 2013, in Carson City, Nev. “She is with her parents and sister, at peace, and no longer in pain.”

She was born on July 17, 1941, in Townsend to Murvel and Ellen (Een) Kinder, and was raised on the “Hi-Line” in north central Montana. 

She is survived by her sons, Murvel Thornton of Carson City, Danny Thornton and Joni Morelli of Kalispell, and Rodney Thornton and Nancy of Chesapeake, Va., former husband, James Newcomb, of Spokane; brothers, Ronald Kinder of Great Falls, and Wayne and Cheryl Kinder of Carson City; sister-in-law, Julie Watt, and Jim, of Carson City; nine grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and many special friends, including Jeanne Williams and “The Board of Directors,” Chris Berg of Salem, Ore., and Renee Berner and Sharon Pitsch, both of Kalispell.   Last, but, not least, she also leaves behind her beloved dachshund, Schotzie.

 Pati suffered from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis from the age of 18 months. In her adult life she had all of her major joints replaced and was comically known as the “Bionic Woman.” But it was pulmonary fibrosis caused by the JRA that ended her battle. There wasn't much that she wasn't willing to try, and she loved to travel every chance she got with her faithful dog, Schotzie.

She attended Havre Public Schools through the fourth grade, moving to Rudyard in 1951, and graduating from Rudyard High School with the Class of '59, 30 years to the day after her mother graduated from the same school.  

She married Robert Thornton July 24, 1959. From this union came her pride and joys, “My Three Sons.” This marriage ended in divorce in September 1966. Several years later, after moving to Kalispell, she met and married her best friend, James Newcomb. This marriage brought three “special” children into her life, Kari, Doug and Paul Newcomb, of Phoenix. 

With six children to help support, she went to work for Plum Creek Timber. After short stints in Arizona and southern Nevada, Pati moved to Carson City to be close to her brother and to enjoy a more moderate climate. She worked several years for Sterling Air in Carson City. No matter where she was living, Montana was always home.   

  Pati was preceded in death by her beloved parents, and her sister, Jennett “Jackie” Brubaker. 

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. July 6 at the Rudyard Cemetery, with a reception following at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Rudyard.

Memorials in Pat's name may be sent to St. Paul's Lutheran Family, 1201 N. Saliman Road, Carson City, NV 89701; the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis; or to the ASPCA or animal shelter of your choice.