Aaron Patrick “Pat” Hoerner, 84, Dickinson, died on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at his home, surrounded by family. Patrick’s Funeral Service will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 3, 2024, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Dickinson with Rev. Scott Erickson as officiant. Visitation will be on Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.
Aaron Patrick “Pat” Hoerner was born March 17, 1940, to Valentine and Hilda (Mischel) Hoerner at the home of his maternal grandparents in Richardton. He graduated from the Abbey High School in Richardton in 1958 and went on to attend Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA where he graduated with a degree in accounting in 1962. He married Paulette Hoff on August 19, 1961. To this union were born three sons. He worked in public and private accounting in Rapid City, SD and Miles City, MT before moving to Dickinson to buy out Harvey Babcock’s practice and start his own accounting firm. This career spanned 48 years until his retirement in 2012. He married Janet (Temple) Hledik on November 17, 1990.
Pat was a scout leader when his boys were young, a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, active with Dickinson industries, and after retirement volunteered as a tax preparer for AARP. He thoroughly enjoyed gardening, woodworking, bowling, playing cards and games of all kinds and softball, which he sponsored and played with the younger guys until he was fifty. He competed in boxing in college and coached his granddaughter’s softball team later in life. After retirement nearly every weekday the highlight was a workout at the West River Community Center and joining before and after coffee groups there. Pat was a master at the power nap, which carried him through many a tax season.
To Pat there were no strangers, only friends he hadn’t met. His joy and zest for life was contagious. He worked hard at whatever he did and out weeding the garden was his way of “smelling the roses.” It was always his intention to leave the world a better place whether it be picking up garbage by the side of the road or volunteering to help others. His family and friends were a great treasure to him and even near the end he had a big smile and fist bump for any and all visitors.
Pat is survived by his wife, Janet Hoerner, Dickinson; sons, Alan Hoerner, Bismarck, Bruce (Jodi) Hoerner, Chandler, AZ, and Stephen (Crystal) Hoerner, Dickinson; stepdaughter, Christine Biel, Taylor; 14 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Rita (Burt) Kersh, Spokane, WA, Carol Holley, Thornton, CO, Ruth (Wes) Wessner, Bismarck, Gene (Mary) Hoerner, Dickinson, Renee (Brian) Benesh, Dickinson, and Jim (Tammi) Hoerner, Parker, CO; stepsister, Charlotte (Vic) Barns; stepbrother, Richard (Mel) Pavlish; step-brother-in-law, Paul Duerre; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Lillian (Steffan) Pavlish; brother-in-law, Paul Williams; nephew, Donald Williams; step-great-grandson, Finley Simonieg; and stepsister, Judy Duerre.
