Carol Patricia Bringgold

BRINGGOLD (PERKINS), CAROL PATRICIA “PAT” Pat passed away on January 9, 2021. She was born on August 23,1937 in Canton, WI. In her youth, the family moved to Willmar, MN where she attended grade school and high school. She participated in band, was a majorette and a cheerleader. She graduated in 1955. Friendships evolved into a group of 6 or 7 girls who remained in contact through the years. Known as the “Willmar Girls” they took trips to New York, Quebec City, Colorado and Montana and were faithful attendees at each other’s weddings, baby showers and sadly funerals. Pat went to Macalester College in St. Paul as a student in the renowned Miss Woods School for Elementary Education. She also was a cheerleader. She had to drop out of school the second semester of her Junior year as she was elected National Ski Queen. I’m not sure if she had ever skied, but she joined the Macalester Ski Club and they entered her in the National Ski Queen competition. Her duties required trips to various ski events around the country and a two week ski trip to Austria and Switzerland. She skied with the renowned Stein Erickson, an Olympic gold medal winner. At Macalester, Pat met Gary Bringgold who was a senior. They married on September 6, 1958 and were together for 62 years. Their first apartment was $75 per month furnished. They owned only a record player and clothing. Pat finished her college courses while Gary went to graduate school at Minnesota. Gary took a job in Detroit, Michigan and Pat obtained a teaching job in Grosse Point Woods. The school administration flew to St. Paul to interview her. Somewhat unusual then as now. Her salary was more than Gary’s. She always enjoyed that. After 2 years they were transferred back to Minneapolis. She taught one year in Edina. We lived in Hopkins where her first child was born. We then bought a home in St. Louis Park where two more children came along. Eventually we built a house in Edina, some 55 years ago. Our fourth child was born there. Pat lived in the house until her move to the Waters of Eden Prairie 3 1/2 years ago. Pat enjoyed many activities including reading, sewing, skiing, golf, quilting, teaching Sunday school, bridge, gymnastic judging, and cooking. Her children and later grandchildren always wanted her to bake her special rolls and graham cracker ice cream for holidays. She also enjoyed travel as the kids grew older.There were annual trips to Colorado to ski. She also saw a good part of the US as well as traveled to Europe a number times and to China as well. Her parents had a winter home in Lakeland, Florida which was inherited by Pat and her two sisters. Many winters were spent in Lakeland. She also enjoyed the lake home in Pequot Lakes, MN. Most of all she enjoyed her children and grandchildren. She wanted them to be happy and wanted the best for them in education, opportunities and life. After the children were either in college or had moved on, Pat became the person in charge of Title One Education in Richfield, MN. She retired for good after two years. Those of you who know Pat know that she was loving, had a pleasant disposition, was very caring, non judgmental and was slow to anger. It is so unfortunate that she became afflicted with Alzheimers- a terrible and slow disease. She has spent the last 3 1/2 years in the long term care facility at the Waters of Eden Prairie. She has been well taken care of and generally content. Many thanks to the capable and caring staff there as well as AccentCare Hospice. I think she would say that she had a good life. Rest in peace dear lady. She was preceded in death by her parents Marvin and Irene Perkins, her brother Marvin and her grandson Jack Richman. She is survived by her husband Gary, Edina, sisters Kathie Ryan and Janet Eliason, children Blake (Lauri), Lynn (Mark), Scott (Kelly) and Kristin and grandchildren Palmer, Jordan, Ella, Charlie, Ryan (Katie), Lauren, Christopher, Carter and Caden. In lieu of flowers, memorials or contributions can be sent to The Alzheimers Association or Peace Lutheran Church in Bloomington, MN. Due to Covid 19 there will be a private family service on January 18, 2021. The service will be recorded and available to view on Monday evening. It can be accessed via the Peace website, www.peacebloomington.org, or directly on YouTube. She will be buried in the Spring. www.Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 953-920-3996

Tributes

Carol Patricia Bringgold

August 23, 1937 - January 9, 2021

Tributes

Carol Patricia Bringgold

August 23, 1937 - January 9, 2021

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