Patricia Ann Sharon Ervasti

In Loving Memory of
Patricia (Yliniemi) Ervasti
December 29, 1951- September 15, 2024

Patricia (Yliniemi) Ervasti, age 72, of Bertha, MN, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 15, 2024. She passed away peacefully at her home in the loving care of her family and Knute Nelson Hospice following an unexpected battle with sepsis after being hospitalized for a bacterial infection caused by a deer tick bite. Her time in hospice care, while difficult for her family, also witnessed some wonderful blessings, as she enjoyed the many visitors who came to see her and the chance to tell stories, talk with her family, say “I love you,” pray for and with loved ones, and serve as a witness to the faith and “sisu” that defined her life. 

Patricia (Pat, Patsy, or “Granny”) was born on December 29, 1951, to Isacki and Aili (Haanpaa) Yliniemi at their family farm in Toad Lake Township, Becker County, MN. She has fond memories of growing up on the farm with her brothers and sisters, speaking Finnish with her parents, picking wildflowers with her father to give to her mother, listening to her sisters’ records, and attending the one-room country school near Wolf Lake with her friends. Her faith journey began at confirmation class at Spruce Grove Apostolic Lutheran Church, where she became convinced of her personal need for forgiveness and salvation. One night after class, she prayed with her parents that she might receive Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She always felt His presence and comfort in her life since that night. 

She graduated from Menahga High School in 1969, where she was involved in many activities (including being named homecoming queen), made many lifelong friends, and met the love of her life, Arlan. Even after 54 years of marriage, she would still light up when telling her family about the electricity she felt during their first kiss! In 1970, Pat was a freshman in college at the University of Minnesota when Arlan entered the Army and received orders to go to Vietnam. Before he left, they decided to get married and planned their wedding in less than a week. Their wedding on April 11, 1970, included her creating a ‘mini’ scandal by wearing a white mini skirt. When Arlan was wounded in Vietnam and sent to a military hospital in Kansas, she tied a Christmas tree to the roof of the car and set off for Kansas, where they spent their first Christmas together in his hospital room. 

Arlan and Pat both graduated from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. After living in the cities for a few years, they moved to Hewitt, MN where Arlan took a teaching job at Bertha-Hewitt High School. Pat would dedicate herself to raising their five children, Jason, Paul, Matthew, Katherine, and Maria. Pat was active in volunteering with her church and MCCL and wrote a column for the local paper. She supported her children’s activities, spent much time praying for friends and family, and enjoyed gardening and canning, especially her secret salsa. 

In 1991, she started working for the University of Minnesota Extension Service teaching nutrition and food safety classes in local schools, where she worked for several decades. Many students enjoyed her warm sense of humor teaching them about germs and food preparation. After retiring, she became a fulltime “granny” and loved spending time with and caring for her grandchildren and making homemade sweets for them. She also enjoyed the many hours of laughter she spent with her siblings and in-laws when they would get together for coffee or lunch. 

Patricia is survived by her husband of 54 years, Arlan; five children and three daughters in-law; Jason and Carol Ervasti, Bertha, MN; Paul and Caroline Ervasti, Eagle River, AK; Matt and Keisha Ervasti, Sheboygan, WI; Katherine Ervasti, Waukegan, IL; and Maria Ervasti, Staples, MN; her thirteen grandchildren: Lindsey, Samara, Gideon, Abby, Mikael (Danae), Hanna (Jacob Young), Jacob, Andrew, Adelaide, Iyla, Malachi, Israel, and Aro; two great grandchildren, Lia and Eleanor; two sisters, Helen Laine and Hazel Yliniemi; four sisters in-law, Miriam Yliniemi, Karen (Curt) Nohrenberg, Roxinne (Gichi) Savoretti, and Kate Williams, brother in-law Bruce Sannes, as well as numerous beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Elmer, Roy, and James Edward, sister Huldy Sannes, sister in-law Hazel (Mickelson) Yliniemi, brothers in-law Art Laine and Steve Ervasti, and three infant siblings. 

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at Spruce Grove Apostolic Lutheran Church. A visitation will be held at the church on Friday, September 27, from 5-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to the church.