Patty Solem
Patty Solem Obituary
Patty Solem, 86, near-lifelong resident of Oslo, MN, died on Saturday, March 2, 2024, in the Lutheran Sunset Home of Grafton, ND surrounded by her family.
Patricia Jane Michalski was born on February 28, 1938, at home in Oslo to Thomas and Effie (Martin) Michalski. Always musical and incredibly bright, Patty began teaching piano lessons in her teens. She graduated from Oslo High School as the salutatorian of the Class of 1956. She was married June 23rd of that year to her high school sweetheart, Gaylord Solem, in St. Joseph Catholic Church.
The young couple made their home in Oslo and moved a few times- all within a stone's throw of each other. For more than thirty years Patty taught piano, with scores of children walking the well-worn path down the alleyway between her home and school. She was actively involved at St. Joseph's, served with the Ladies Aide, and was the church organist for decades. Being an avid reader, Patty ran a book exchange with her friends and consequently knew most of the answers on Jeopardy. She was a housekeeper to a high standard, known for having the best buns in town, and wrote most of her Christmas letters as poems.
She and Gaylord were inseparable. They attended five children's worth of sports and events over the years, and they continued this with their grandchildren, rarely missing an opportunity to support their large family. They also enjoyed going on roadtrips: trips that invariably ended at a casino. Wherever they went, if Patty found a piano, she would sit down and play- taking requests and playing by ear. In later years, even as her memory began to fail, her love of music and the piano never left her. Patty was a true blessing to so so many people as she touched their lives in such a musical and loving way. Her music was her affection.
Patty is survived by her husband of 67 years, Gaylord; five children, Tony (Cynthia) Solem, Bill (Kim) Solem, Kathy Solem, Sally (Milton) Gowan, and Larry Solem (Traci Daley); 14 grandchildren, Aaron (Caitlyn) and Cameron (Kayla) Solem, Tom (Tera) and Casey Solem (Jelayne Shelton), Michael and Billy (Bree) Boppre, Larissa (Cody) Zeman, Landon Swallow (Madison Bear), Ryan (Cierra) Swallow, Rachelle Swallow, Michael (Allie) Gowan, and Megan (Andrew) Happel, Cassandra (Logan) Dachtler and Nick Solem; and 20 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Effie Michalski; step-mother (and aunt), Leila Michalski; and siblings, Phyllis (Maynard) Farder and Thomas Michalski Jr.
The family wishes to thank all of Patty's caregivers during her three years at the Lutheran Sunset Home. Your kindness will remain in our hearts forever.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Monday, March 11, 2024, at 10:30 AM, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oslo, MN.
VISITATION: One hour prior to Mass.
INTERMENT: Riverside Cemetery, Oslo, MN.
To watch a video of Avary Solem’s Prelude Music, please click the link below:
To watch a video of Patty’s Mass of Christian Burial, please click the link below:
Patty’s Mass of Christian Burial
