Patty Lou Lovaas (Platt)

MISSOULAâ�,��**– Patty Lou (Platt) Lovaas died suddenly from cancer Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, at the age of 60. She was born in Minneapolis on March 28, 1952, and lived an exciting life. She was a certified public accountant in Missoula and owned and operated Elkhorn Hot Springs Lodge in Dillon along with her husband Orville and sons.

Patty and Orville were married upon finishing high school. They then moved to Brainerd, Minn., where both attended Brainerd College. Patty worked part time at the college while earning her associate degree in one year by testing out of many subjects. She was also on the dean's list during that time. Patty, Orville and their sons Brian and Paul then moved to Missoula. Patty began working for a local CPA firm. She attended the University of Montana for another year, where she earned her bachelor's degree in accounting. Before finishing her second year in college, she passed her CPA exam and began her own accounting business. If any of her clients were audited, Patty never lost.

Orville and Patty built several of their homes and cabins. In their first home, Patty did the electrical wiring herself, which passed inspections, while she was expecting a baby! If you told Patty she could not do something – you were wrong. She could and did.

She ran for U.S. Senate and other state and local offices, and loved being involved with the community and with politics. Patty also loved volunteering and leading her son's Cub Scouts and other sports activities. She loved watching whales and other wildlife, traveling, enjoyed her grandchildren, and bragged about her sons. Her laugh was contagious.

Patty was preceded in death by her parents, Myron and Agnes (Pagel) Platt; and two sisters, Vicki Kay Robinson and Kathy Jane Platt. She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Orville; two sons, Brian (Kristen) Lovaas and Paul (Alison) Lovaas, all of Dillon; two sisters, Dorothy Ann (Glen) Jones and Karen Jean (Bill) Kapferer; eight grandchildren, Brandi, Xionkita, Taylor, Emma, Madison, Disa, Bridget and Landon; six nephews; two nieces; and many other relatives and friends. She will be greatly missed by all.

Memorial services will be held Jan. 5, 2013, at 10 a.m. at Elkhorn Hot Springs in Polaris and Jan. 12 at 2 p.m. at Flanagan Motors in Missoula.

Read Patty Lovaas's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.