PATRICIA “PAT” JO SMEDSRUD, age 55, of Luverne, died Monday, October 24, 2016, at the Sanford USD Medical Center, in Sioux Falls, SD, from a sudden brain bleed caused by a ruptured aneurysm. She was born July 30, 1961, in Pipestone, to Jim and Marte (Canton) Vanderberg. She was baptized on August 13, 1961, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jasper; and was confirmed on May 4, 1975, at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. Pat graduated from Luverne High School in 1979. She then attended Granite Falls Vo-Tech, before attending Augustana University. Pat then attended Mankato State University. She received her Master’s Degree and Doctorate from the University of Osteopathic Medicine & Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA.

Pat married Steve Smedsrud on August 12, 1995 at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. The couple lived in Luverne where Pat worked as a physical therapist at the Luverne Community Hospital. She continued working at the hospital after it became the Sioux Valley Hospital and the Sanford Luverne Medical Center. In 2015, Pat began working at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne.

She was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School and was on the St. John Board of Christian Education. She was also a member of the Blandin Foundation; and Luverne Dollars for Scholars. Pat was a caregiver to everyone. She loved life. Pat enjoyed a good campfire, a ride on her ATV in the Black Hills, a nice Vikings win, running, but especially watching any of her children’s sporting events.

Pat is survived by her husband, Steve Smedsrud, Luverne; three children, Tony (Lindsey Kozel) Smedsrud, Hill City, SD; Kynzie Smedsrud, Luverne; and Chaz Smedsrud, Luverne; parents, Jim & Marte Vanderberg, Luverne; two brothers, Joe (Melinda) Vanderberg, Arlington, TX; and Al (Carla) Vanderberg, Spencer, IA; a niece & three nephews, Caroline, Zach, Brady & Casey Vanderberg; father-in-law, Keith Smedsrud, Luverne; mother-in-law, Mary Sites, Lismore; sister-in-law, Cindy (Troy) Veld, Lismore; two nieces, Marissa & Caitlyn Veld; and a nephew, Mitchell Veld.

She was preceded in death by her nephew, Tyler Veld; and her grandparents.

Pat’s final act of kindness was to give the gift of life through organ and tissue donation

        Visitation will be from 4-8 pm at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne; and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Funeral will be 10:30 am Saturday at St. John Lutheran Church officiated by Pastor Gary Klatt. Burial will be in the Maplewood Cemetery.

   In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

   Dingmann Funeral Home, in Luverne, is assisting the family with arrangements.

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