Patricia Lass

Patricia Ann Lass, 90, of Highmore, passed away Monday, September 30, 2024, at Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital in Miller, with her daughter, Marcianna, at her side.  Pat was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many.

Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Highmore, with Father John Short, celebrant. Burial will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Highmore. Visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m., Monday, October 7, 2024, followed by a 7:00 p.m. wake service, all at the church.

Pat was born on September 16, 1934, in Highmore, South Dakota to Louise (Morgan Ferrell) and Lawrence Weber, and was baptized at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on September 30, 1934. Pat, her four sisters, and one brother were raised by their parents on a farm southwest of Highmore until she was 11. When her father passed away, the family moved to Highmore, South Dakota.   Pat attended country schools including 2 years at St. Liborius School at Polo and Highmore High School.  After graduation, Pat married Omar Lee Bawdon in 1951. They lived in Ree Heights, South Dakota for a few years before beginning their adventure through the western United States and settling in Southern California. During their life together, they had nine beautiful children. She was a devout Catholic and loved the Lord, she raised her children to love the Lord also.

In 1970, Pat and Lee went their separate ways. Pat was known for her strong will, determination, and love for all her children. She went back to school, where she enrolled in business courses. She landed a job at Prudential Insurance Company. Due to her determination, she rapidly rose to a management position.

At the end of her career, she fulfilled her love for traveling. She traveled extensively through Europe, went on a few cruises, and enjoyed her children and grandchildren.  After dedicating 20 years at Prudential Insurance, she retired and returned to her hometown, Highmore, SD, to care for her aging aunt, Francis, until she passed away.  She then cared for her mother, Louise Weber. 

Pat was everyone’s friend, and her smile was so genuine and contagious. She wore many hats and her love for others brought her various jobs in Highmore.  She worked part-time at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She volunteered at the Senior Center and Highmore Health. On May 6, 2011, she was honored as Highmore Health’s volunteer of the year. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society and the Catholic Daughters. 

Pat’s family was her pride and joy. She proved that by traveling to California, Alaska, and Texas two or three times a year to celebrate with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She never missed a graduation or a wedding, but her favorite holiday and time with her family was Thanksgiving. Every year she would alternate between houses at Thanksgiving and Christmas. She always instilled in her family the importance of family. 

Pat was filled with so much love, happiness, and joy when she celebrated her 90th birthday with all nine of her children, half her grandchildren, and many other family members. 

Her favorite color was blue, her favorite games were bingo, Rummy 500, golf, Yahtzee, and she loved winning lots of money from her grandchildren in Left-Right-Center. 

Pat is survived by her seven daughters: Lucinda Hjort, Mary Boucher, Teresa Williams, Carol (Joseph) Guiliano, Marcianna Muchaw, Bernadette (Bob) Nisco, and Patricia (Martin) Goud; two sons, Gregory Bawdon and Michael Bawdon; sisters: Sandra (Kenny) Werdel and Cathie (Roger) Wang; sister-in-law, Myrna Weber; and many nieces and nephews.  She took tremendous pride in all 20 of her grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. 

Pat was preceded in death by her mother and father, Louise Ferrell and Lawrence Weber; two sisters, Carol Lettau and Mary Jo Hirsch; and one brother, Larry Weber.

Her memory will live on in our hearts forever. 

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Pat's arrangements.