Patricia Stork

Patricia Ellen Stork, age 79, died March 26, 2019, after a short illness, at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. 

Patricia (Patty) was born on April 23, 1939, to William Beverly and Junice (Rein) Stork at the Lanesboro, Minn., Hospital. She grew up with her seven siblings on the family farm one mile north of Harmony, Minn., where she participated in 4-H and helped her mother with raising eight children.  She was very good at homemaking, even hiring out to neighbor families helping with child care, cooking, housekeeping, gardening and the abundance of farm chores, including driving tractor.  Her favorite task was making pies!

At Harmony High School, Patty excelled in drama and declamation, portraying the lead role in school plays and successfully participating in statewide declamation competitions.  She sang in the choir and played piano.  Patty was selected by the Harmony American Legion as its Girls State representative, learning about the workings of government. Patty graduated from Harmony High School in 1957.

Patty attended the University of Wisconsin in Stevens Point and Metro State University in Minneapolis. Her working life was spent in Minneapolis, involved in the travel industry, working for the Hertz Corporation as a reservations agent and then being promoted to domestic and international reservations manager, where she was instrumental in doubling the production output in two years.  She then accepted an opportunity to participate developing the Avis Car Rental Corporation, working as the director of reservation sales and was subsequently promoted to district sales manager.  With her guidance and having tripled Avis’ sales volume she was asked by Avis to go to Europe to expand their market base, which she did very successfully. Following this Patty took on the responsibilities of vice president of sales for Campus Travel Center, Minneapolis.

Patty was a strong, independent woman with attitude. If she had something on her mind, she let it be known clearly and succinctly. She probably missed her true calling in life by not becoming actively involved in a political career.  She would have been a great politician! Her speech, determination and demeanor were always very deliberate.  She was an ardent advocate and champion of the women’s movement preceding the likes of Gloria Steinem and Germaine Greer. She would, in no way, ever be considered to be of lesser value than any man in one’s ability to make a significant contribution.

Patricia is survived by four sisters: Colleen Arch, Tequesta, Fla., Janet (Jay) Fedder, Wickenburg, Ariz., Kathryn (Roger) Hollman, Lake City, Minn., Julie (James) Mosier, Littleton, Colo.; two brothers: William B. (Bill), Des Moines, Iowa, and Edwin, Harmony, Minn.; and by 12 nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents William B. and Junice Stork, a brother, Micheal; and nephew, Samuel Arch.

Patricia donated her body to the University of Minnesota Medical School. A private family internment will be held at a later date at Scotland Cemetery, Richland Prairie Church, rural Harmony.  Memorials are preferred to the Scotland Cemetery Association, 302 Cottage Grove Ave., Preston, Minn. 55965. At Patty’s request, there will be no service.

Rest in Peace Patricia. You will be dearly missed!