As a lifelong musician, Pat Diedrich’s love of music was central to who she was. As she entered hospice care at Ava’s House, a program fueled by philanthropy ensured that music was part of her final days, bringing her comfort, connection and joy when it mattered most.
A Full Life
During her 92 years, Pat Diedrich never had time to grow old. She was too busy living.
She was a mom of 12, a grandmother more than 60 and was “Grandma Pat” to many kids in her hometown of Presho, South Dakota. Music was her lifelong passion. She played piano and guitar, taught herself the banjo, and in her 70s, founded a band with friends called The Jammers.
Ask anyone and they’ll agree: Pat was a force who never let anyone or anything stand in her way, including her age. In her 90s, she remained an avid basketball fan, continued to kayak with her daughters and could often be found wearing her shades, enjoying a beverage and relaxing on a floatie in her backyard swimming pool.
But more than her own zest for life, her real purpose was sharing her gifts with others. From teaching and mentoring to cooking and baking, sewing, creating art and making music, Pat made a difference in big and small ways every day.
“She was above average in every way,” said her son, Cory Diedrich, who also serves as Sanford Health’s director of transportation services.
“I’m in my mid-50s. I’m not as active now as my mom was in her 90s,” he said, laughing.
One Last Hurrah
Even after she was diagnosed with colon cancer, Pat continued to live life to its fullest, even opting to spend the winter in Arizona, as she had for the last 32 years, to experience the warm weather and enjoy time with friends.
But as winter turned to spring, Pat felt a nagging pain in her hip. Tests revealed her cancer had spread. It was time to return to South Dakota.
In true Pat fashion, before she left Arizona, she insisted on hosting the annual “Adios Amigos” party she threw every March to say goodbye to her friends for the season.
“She and my dad always hosted a party on St. Patrick’s Day. It was huge and hundreds would attend. The Jammers would perform. After my dad passed away, my mom continued to host it,” Cory said. “This year, she came back right after the party. She had one last hurrah.”
Compassionate Care
Pat’s condition declined as she returned to South Dakota, so her family took her to the Emergency Department at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls.
“The next morning, we moved her to Ava’s House,” Cory said.
From the moment they arrived, Cory said, his mom and the entire family felt surrounded by love and compassion.
“From the beginning, it was perfect,” he said. “The staff was great, the accommodations where amazing. All 12 kids visited at one point or another.”
“We saw compassion from every single person there,” he said. “Someone was able to stay with her every single night. For Mom to be able to feel comfortable, with that much support, and have family around her — she couldn’t think of a better place she’d want to be.”
The Power of Music
Shortly after arriving at Ava’s House, Dylan Lewis, an artist in residence with the Sioux Falls Arts Council and a member of Sanford Arts, stopped by Pat’s room with his guitar.
“He started playing some of his songs. Then he played songs Mom used to play and sing. We even sang songs we used to sing as kids. Dylan just figured it out,” Cory said.
“Mom loved it. She was singing along and tapping her feet. Music was an integral part of her existence. This brought her so much joy and comfort,” he said.
After their initial meeting, Dylan came by again to visit Pat.
“He spent time with Mom just playing music. It was fantastic. My brothers and sisters and I were just thrilled,” Cory said.
The Gift of Gratitude
Musical enrichment at Ava’s House is provided thanks in part to Sanford Arts, a program supported through philanthropy that helps patients experience the healing power of creativity and creative expression.
For Cory, who has worked for Sanford Health for more than 30 years, seeing the program at work inside Ava’s House was another reminder of philanthropy’s impact.
“I was at Ava’s House on the day we broke ground. I was here when we did the dedication. And now, I guess it was fitting to be there for this chapter of the story,” he said. “I knew Ava’s House was made possible through philanthropy. Do I appreciate it more now? 100% I do. My family and I tell everyone how special it is.”
Pat knew how special it was, too, Cory said.
“Mom just kept saying, ‘People need to know about this place.’ One of her last wishes was to give something to Ava’s House, to help future hospice patients and families,” he said.
Pat passed away at Ava’s House on March 29, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones. Later, her family brought her final wish to life, presenting donations from the Estate of Patricia Diedrich to the Sanford Health Foundation in support of Ava’s House and to the Sioux Falls Arts Council in support of the Artist in Residence program.
For Cory and his family, the chance to express their gratitude and help others navigating a hospice journey means more than anything.
“
We lost our mother, but there’s nothing bad we could say about the 19 days she spent at Ava’s House. Mom was comfortable, happy and she wasn’t afraid. The appreciation is just endless.
Pat’s Son
Give for Compassion, Give for Good
Built by the generosity of local donors, Ava’s House is an acute-level, in-patient hospice facility in Sioux Falls that provides 24-hour nursing care to patients of all ages in a home-like environment.
If you’re inspired by this story and want to support hospice patients and families, Give for Good today. 100% of your gift will help provide hospice patients at Ava’s House with dignity, comfort and compassionate care.