Patricia Ann Van Ert

Patricia Van Ert transitioned into her new life as an ancestor on July 11, 2023. For the past 10 years, Patricia battled Amyloidosis with hope while educating those she met about the rare disease. She is survived in this world by her daughter Kelsey Van Ert, her daughter Laura McPeak, her mother Marjorie Ellison, her father Gerald Van Ert Sr, her brother Gerald Van Ert Jr, and many friends including Mary Rhatigan, the women of The Bad Girls Book Club, the Two Spirit Group, and the local creative writing community. Patricia was born on June 21, 1960 in Superior, Wisconsin. She was a citizen of the Fond Du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Ojibwe). She grew up there, surrounded by aunties, cousins and siblings. After high school, her path took her to the Twin Cities. There she found so many communities - Native, LGBTQ+, artistic, and more - that nurtured her and that she nurtured back. For many years Patricia volunteered in the kitchen at Clare Housing’s Grace House, cooking for residents living with HIV/AIDS, as a way to honor the life of her late brother Scott Van Ert. She mentored youth poets at Words Out Loud at the Rondo Library. Patricia tutored grade school children in reading and donated countless chapter books to them. She helped lead the diabetes support group that she participated in. Patricia valued human connections, and she lived her values. Patricia had a quick smile that touched every part of her face. Patricia’s smile, love of literature, and care for animals live on in her greatest joys - her daughters. Patricia’s first daughter, Kelsey, was young when their rainbow home grew, and Patricia became a second mom to Laura McPeak. May Patricia continue to guide Kelsey and Laura from her new home with the ancestors. A celebration and remembrance of Patricia’s life will be held: Wednesday, August 9th Service starting at 6pm All Nations Indian Church 1515 E 23rd Street in Minneapolis. There will be food, poetry, and art making. Guests are invited to bring memories, something to tie dye, and food or drinks for the potluck. Those who wish to send flowers may send them to the church on August 9th (purple was her favorite color). If you would like to help cover the cost of her Celebration of life as well as Kelsey’s living expenses during her time away from work, please visit her Meal Train page below: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/lkw6gw?fbclid=IwAR0fQ4H-8qcVTV7D8tmVWk7uKXig9JmfcKVQ9DH_acNXE1W9CkJ-DkI9G90 Donations in Patricia’s name can also be made to: Native American Community Clinic. https://nacc-healthcare.org/ Can Do Canines. https://candocanines.org/ The Amyloidosis Foundation. https://amyloidosis.org/ Telling Queer History. https://www.tellingqueerhistory.com/ (Copy and paste links into your browser)