Patricia "Pat" Orme Gessel

Patricia Orme Gessel “Pat”, 92, passed away on July 28, 2024, of causes incident to age. She was born on March 19, 1932, in Wells, Nevada, to William Rollo and Lillie Lorett (Sparks) Orme. Because she was born so close to St. Patrick’s Day, she was given the name Patricia. A few months after her birth, her family moved to Downey, Idaho, and then 4 years later, to Weber County, Utah, where she spent her school-age years.

Growing up, she enjoyed writing poetry and stories, and she excelled academically. Patricia graduated from Weber High School in 1950 where she was co-editor of the school magazine. She even wrote a news story for the Ogden Standard-Examiner and was given a by-line with the story.

Following high school graduation, Patricia attended Weber State College, where she was active in music, and worked at St. Benedict’s Hospital in Medical Records. Her college days were cut short in December 1951 when she contracted polio. A few months after her recovery, she met her soon-to-be husband, Verl. While having an aptitude for journalism, Patricia made a conscious choice to focus on becoming a wife and mother. After a brief courtship, she was married to Verl LeRoy Gessel on July 11, 1952, in the Logan Temple.

Patricia was a very gifted and accomplished musician who began piano studies with her mother at age 5. Her father started her on the violin at age 7, and she participated in her school orchestra and/or band all throughout her school and college years. In addition to violin and piano, she learned to play cello, saxophone, oboe, and organ. She had an angelic singing voice and composed and arranged music. That extraordinary love and gift of music was passed on to each one of her children.

Throughout her life, she was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various music capacities (pianist, organist, and ward choir director). She also served as a teacher in the Young Women and Relief Society organizations. She was a Gospel scholar and possessed an exhaustive knowledge and understanding of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Heritage and history were especially important to Patricia, and she and Verl served a 6-month Family History Mission from December 1994 to June 1995.

Together Pat and Verl taught their two daughters and two sons the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the value of honest work. Patricia nurtured each one of their children with great care and selflessness. She was blessed with a genius mind to guide each child in reaching his/her greatest potential, notwithstanding any handicaps.

She faithfully and optimistically worked through life’s problems and challenges, researching and applying innovative solutions--from starting a 4-H group to help her developmentally disabled oldest daughter learn life skills--to caring for her stroke-afflicted husband the last 12 plus years of his life.

Although her entire life was fraught with serious illness and health challenges, Pat worked diligently for over 20 years to support Verl’s architectural business as specifications typist and secretary/bookkeeper. She had become passionate about politics in high school, served actively in her local precinct when time permitted, and stayed politically well-informed to the end of her life. She also loved to garden. She always took time to lend a kind, understanding ear to family members and friends.

Patricia’s exemplary life was one of Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Devotion to Family, Kindness to All, Lifelong Learning, Embodiment of Wisdom and Truth, Love of Music and Beauty, and Pure Goodness.

Patricia is survived by a daughter, Bonnie (David) Felger; and two sons, Raymond (Laurie) Gessel and Alan (Ann) Gessel; 14 grandchildren; and 38 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Verl and her daughter, Laura. She was also preceded in death by her parents; an infant brother, Douglas Dwight; her brother, Gordon Rollo; and her sister, Guinevere.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the many caregivers, friends, and neighbors who lovingly served Patricia the last several years.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Riverdale Stake Center, 4000 S Parker Drive. Friends may visit with family on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd., and on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., at the church. Interment, Ben Lomond Cemetery, North Ogden.

Services will be live-streamed and available the day of the services by scrolling to the bottom of Patricia’s obituary page at: www.lindquistmortuary.com where condolences may also be shared.

 For those desiring to offer something in Patricia’s memory, a donation to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Missionary Fund or FamilySearch.org is suggested.

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