Patricia Miller

A Life Well-Lived (and Occasionally Wrecked)

Patricia Marie (Hansen) Bauer Miller, Livingston's own Queen of Sass, Hotels, and Hijinx, has taken her final curtain call. Born a Montana Spark on March 12, 1933 – a birth requiring a borrowed car, as their usual horsepower had four legs – Patty’s life was a captivating tale with more twists than a mountain road and a cast of characters stranger than any fiction novel.

From surviving childhood Scarlet Fever, riding bareback five miles to school, shattering fine china as a singing rodeo queen and wrangling bears at the Old Faithfull Inn, Patty embraced life with gusto. Her young adventurous spirit led her to love and marriage with Jack Bauer, a Naval Veteran, turned railroad man with whom she built her early life in Livingston and welcomed their first son, John. Her entrepreneurial drive found a strong outlet in her long tenure at the Park County News and the Chamber of Commerce, showcasing her commitment to her community. This foundation of community involvement and a penchant for the unexpected paved the way for her later venture into hotel ownership. A memorable drunken wager with her second husband, Cliff, unexpectedly led to their acquisition of the Murray Hotel, adding a new dimension to her multifaceted life. However, Patty's contributions stretched far beyond commerce; her deep affection for Livingston fueled her co-founding of the Blue Slipper Theatre, contributing to the creation of the Park County Museum, spearheading an authentic wagon train, authoring numerous books, playing a key role in establishing the Montana State Film/Tourism board, aiding in brokering a sister city relationship with Naganohara, Japan, and fostering a haven for artists like Richard Brautigan, Parks Reese, and Sam Peckinpah.

While Patty’s heart was as vast as the Montana sky, her firm opinions were delivered with the precision of a sharpshooter, earning her both community accolades and occasionally grave misunderstandings, bringing unfair amounts of tears within the family circle. The early loss of her young son Jeffy cast a long shadow; a pain compounded later by the swift passing of her two closest grandchildren. As father time took his toll and her sharp wit occasionally flickered, her essence as a force of nature and true Montana original remained.

Patty's life was one of resilience, humor, and a deep connection to her roots. No man could tame her, and certainly no story can explain her. Her legacy isn’t just in the businesses she helped build or the stories she penned, but in the vibrant energy she poured into Livingston, from the newsroom to the stage and the Chambers of City Hall. She was a whirlwind of creativity, community spirit, and unapologetic opinions, proving life is best lived with grit and a good laugh; even when the punchlines are delivered by fate.

Her family is planning a graveside service to be held in Clyde Park this summer. In the meantime, a social hour is planned- if you’re so inclined, please wear a fancy hat or something Pink, and join us at 5PM on Wednesday April 30th at the Elks Lodge to raise a glass and share your favorite Patty story. She wouldn't want tears, just a good toast and maybe a slightly raised eyebrow at anyone taking themselves too seriously. “Let’s get drunk and be somebody!”

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