Patricia Uppgaard

Patti Uppgaard, world traveler, inventor of the Comma Dance (to teach her students place value of numbers), and state finalist for Teacher of the Year, died on Sunday, July 17, 2011 at the age of 61. Patti taught 4th and 7th grade at Pequot Schools, and 4th grade at Tasis American School in England, Singapore American School, and Lowell Elementary. She brought lessons from her travels in Europe, China, Africa, the Amazon rain forest, Galapagos, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand to her classroom along with humor and adventures in learning. She is also known for her two holes-in-one at the Whitefish Golf Course.

After graduation from Washburn High School in Minneapolis, Patti earned her BA at the U of MN, M.Ed. at Bemidji State, and coaching license from St. Cloud State. She learned her worldview of spirituality and respect for the environment as a member of Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis.

Patti is survived by her father Dr. Bob Uppgaard, sister Katy (Pete) Flaherty and their children, Jeanne Brown, brother Gaynard (Shari) Brown and their children, Uppgaard, Nolan, Femrite and extended family, and friends. She has joined her mother, Barb Uppgaard, who died April 8, 2006. They will "live in us" as the song says in her favorite play, The Lion King.

Thanks to friends, family and caregivers for their support and good times during the past 7½ years that Patti lived with Glioblastoma brain cancer. We will celebrate Patti's life on Sunday, August 14, 2011 from 2-4 p.m. at Norway Ridge Supper Club 34757 Co Rd 39, Pequot Lakes.

Memorials are suggested to Patti's Brain Child Fund at Lowell Elementary School 704 - 3rd Ave NE, Brainerd, MN 56401, Golden Horizons Assisted Living Activity Fund 13631 East Shore Road, Crosslake, MN 56442 or American Cancer Society.