Patricia Jean Lindholm Gilges, age 101 of Balwin City, Kansas, was born May 9, 1924, in Little River, Kansas to Walter and Sarah Matilda Hubenett Lindholm. She passed away Jan 6, 2026, at home. Patricia married La Verne Gilges on April 4, 1945.
She started school at Stone Coral in rural Little River and finished grade school in Windom, Kansas. She went to Windom High for 2 years and then they moved to Baldwin City in 1940, and she graduated from Baldwin City in 1942.
She joined the Worden Church in 1940. This is where she met the cute guy in the yellow necktie that she later married. She was a past active member of the Ladies Group at the church and a 85 year member.
Patricia was a homemaker and farmer’s wife. She worked at Ottawa Tent and Awning and then worked at the H.D. Lee Company in Ottawa for 30 years where she blocked the ends on denim jackets.
Laverne and Pat moved to her current home in 1949 where they raised their family. She is survived by children, Elvin, Verlyn, Winston (Shirley), Ardyth Milburn (Mike), Rodney (Cathy), and Leslie (Theresa). She was preceded in death by two daughters, Gwendolyn and Audrey Elaine; her husband Laverne; her parents; a brother, Duaine Lindholm; and a sister, Elaine Hoopes.
Granny was loved by grandchildren, Jason (Heather), Amanda (Eric), Dusty (Jessica), Lauren (Luke), Troy (Dani), Brad (Jamie), Brian (Corinne), Matt (Ashley), Michelle (Mike), Cybill (Casey), Christie (Kaj), Jennifer, Kim, and Sarah. She has 24 great-grandchildren and was looking forward to a new one in March. Granny followed her kids’ sports and 4-H activities and kept up with the great-grandkids’ sports.
The family will miss all the crochet afghans, doilies, and hot pads that she made and shared. She always had hot pads to give to all of us when we got together. She told us often she was going to quit, but she always needed yarn to make more. Granny was proud of her Swedish heritage and has passed it on to her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.
Funeral Services will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, January 10, 2026 at the Worden Cornerstone Church at 294 E 900th Rd, Baldwin City, KS 66006. Visitation will be from 6:00 P.M.to 8:00 P.M. on Friday evening also at the church. Arrangements are with Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home of Lawrence. Memorials in honor of Patricia may be made to the Wordon Church Ladies.
