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Patricia “Trisha” Anne Toftum

Patricia “Trisha” Anne Toftum (Walisch) of Columbia Falls passed away Feb. 2, 2017 at the age of 73 due to cancer.

She was the third of six children born to Louis George Walisch Sr. and Patricia Leona Dungan, born Jan. 21, 1944 at Coulee Dam, Washington.

In 1949 her family moved to Ephrata, Washington. In 1960 she moved to West Glacier with her parents. In 1961 she graduated from Columbia Falls High School. On Aug. 9, 1964 she married Clifford Leroy Toftum in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. They had three children: Merry Kaye (Richard) Brigham of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Deborah Anne (Allen) Braman of Bemidji, Minnesota; and Michael Scott (Barbara) Toftum of Columbia Falls. She had seven grandchildren: Cory, Heather, Brittany, Ryan, Magen, Shanae, and Michael James (MJ); six great-grandchildren: Logan, Madison, Carson, Liam, Claire and Isaiah; and had numerous nephews and nieces.

She worked many years as a dietary aide at the Beltrami Nursing home in Bemidji and at the Bemidji Area Hospital in Minnesota and then the Montana Veteran’s home in Columbia Falls until her retirement in 2010.

She loved her family and her dachshunds; her life was centered around them. She also enjoyed scary books/movies and crocheting. She will always be remembered for her generous giving heart.

She is survived by her children, her sisters: Mary (James) Link, Madeline (Virgil) Hall; Margaret (Dennis) Marshall; and Betty (David) Craig. Preceded in death by her husband Clifford (Bud) Toftum, parents and brother Louis George Walisch Jr.

A memorial service for Patricia is March 18, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Journey Church, 5091 U.S. 2, Columbia Falls.

We love you to the moon and back, to infinity and beyond, forever and ever. Columbia Mortuary is caring for the family.