Cheryl Holst , 75 , Washburn, ND died September 10, 2014, at her residence following an aggressive fight with lung cancer. Mass of Christian burial will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, September 13, 2014 at St. Edwin's Catholic Church, Washburn. Officiating will be Father Patrick Cunningham and Deacon Keith Due. Interment will be in the Riverview Cemetery, Washburn. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Friday at the Goetz Funeral Home, Washburn. There will be a prayer service at 7:00 PM Friday at the funeral home.

Ardath Cheryl was born July 23, 1939 in Fargo, ND to Leland and Hazel (Wadeson) Patten. They spent a time in Bremerton, Washington, before they moved back to Parshall N.D. In Parshall, Cheryl attended school and graduated with the class of 1958. On September 6th, 1958 Cheryl married her longtime sweetheart Jim Holst. She followed him to the oilfields of Gillette, Wyoming before they moved back to New Town, where they eventually bought the family farm. She embraced her new life with an open heart. Cheryl wasn't born a Catholic, but became a very strong one. Although she was born a town girl, she grabbed on to being a farm wife with both arms. Though they moved to Washburn and she thrived there, she always felt she had left a piece of herself back on the farm.

Cheryl was a modern woman, who like many of her generation, juggled being a wife, mother, farming partner and also worked outside the home. She worked hard her whole life and took pride in her work ethic. It was important to her that her children would be able to achieve their dreams; she and Jim wished college educations for their children and that mission was accomplished.

Surviving Cheryl are her loving family: husband, Jim and their four children, Luanna (Dave) Fisketjon of Williston and their combined family of Jonathan (Lisa) Aisenbrey of Sidney, MT, Shanna Johnson of Mandan, Jacob Aisenbrey, Jacob (Megan) Fisketjon, Paige Fisketjon, all of Williston, and Stephanie (Ryan) Kopseng from Bismarck; Lisa (Don) Holst of Baldwin and their daughter Clarissa Holst (Cameron Crowley) of Fargo; Kelly Lindsey (Guy Bieber) of Tioga and her children Heathyr Prevost of Bismarck, McKenzie Holst (Lee), Kelsey McRae, and Waylyn McRae, all of Williston;
Brian (Trina) Holst and their daughters Marisa and Maci, all of Sidney, MT.

She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren: Anthony and Carter Johnson, Ellie, Aubrey and Ivy Aisenbrey, Skylar Prevost and Landyn Holst, her brother Lynn Patten of Cheyenne, WY., her sister Debra (Ron) Skyberg of DeSmet, SD, her sister-in-laws: Lorraine Thompson of Willows, CA., Patty (Roger) Munson of Watkins, MN., and Maureen Locken, Edgewood, WA. Cheryl also has many nieces, nephews, cousins, and numerous friends that she loved with all her heart.

She was preceded in death by her parents Leland and Hazel Patten, her sister Anne Gustafson, and brother-in-laws, and sister-in-law Jack (Esther) and Dan Holst.

Mom asked that memorials be directed to Washburn Ambulance Service and North Central Humane Society in Mandan.

Cheryl would always stand outside, by the door and wave goodbye to her family and friends, telling them to drive safely. As she leaves us, we wave goodbye, wishing the same safe and blessed travels that she always wished for us.