If love alone could have kept her here, she would have lived forever. With hearts full of sorrow and memories full of love, we say goodbye to our beloved Gammo.

Christine Marie Patraw (formerly Hamberg) passed away on Oct. 18, 2026, six weeks after a devastating diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a rapidly progressive prion brain disorder.

Christine was born on Jan. 22, 1952, to loving parents, Robert & Eileen Patraw. She enjoyed a happy childhood in South St. Paul where she attended Holy Trinity Catholic School and graduated from Brady High School in 1970. Following high school, she began her studies as an x-ray technician at Bethesda School of Radiologic Technology. She began her career at Ramsey Hospital and then moved to St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul, becoming one of the first ultrasound techs in the Twin Cities. Christine continued working for many years in the radiology department at St. Joseph’s, where she was a dedicated healthcare professional and made many life-long friends.

Christine and Michael were married in 1974 and lived most of their married life in West St. Paul, where they raised their two daughters. Christine was a selfless, dedicated mother whose devotion to her family was endless, always putting her children’s needs before her own. She taught the importance of love and kindness, and she was a perfect example of unconditional love. Christine was a thoughtful friend who never missed a birthday and was always able to find the beauty in each soul she encountered.

When grandchildren entered her life, they became the center of her world. Gammo cherished the time spent with her “love bugs” and the memories she made with them. She constantly reminded them to always be gentle and kind. Gammo was always willing to be goofy and laugh right along with the kids at her silliness. Lake time, road trips, holidays, sleepovers, movie nights, card games, and every single show, play, game, or concert - she was always there. Her greatest sorrow after her diagnosis was that she would miss out on watching them grow into the people they would become.

Christine loved seeing the splendor of nature, a good cup of coffee, lunch dates with friends, reading many books, curling up in her snuggly bugglies, time spent at the lake, playing Words with Friends, anything involving her grandkids, and the color purple.

Christine is survived by daughters, Elizabeth Zumwalde & Laura Peters; their father, Michael Gilchrist; sons-in-law, Barry Zumwalde & Matt Peters; grandchildren, Benjamin, Cameron, Nathan, Lukas, Allison, & Tyler; sisters, Stephanie Patraw & Celeste (Ed) Kihle; brothers, Mike (Mary) Patraw & Rick Patraw; many nieces & nephews; and countless cherished friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert & Eileen Patraw, as well as grandparents, Lemuel & Anna Patraw and Conrad & Regina Carlson.

A life so beautifully lived, a heart so unfailingly kind, and a legacy of love that will forever remain. We love you to the moon and back, our beautiful Gammo. Sleep in heavenly peace. 

A visitation will be held at Mueller-Bies Funeral Home, 2130 Dale St. N., Roseville from 5:00 - 8:00 pm Friday, November 6.

Celebration of Life at Central Presbyterian Church, 500 Cedar St., St. Paul on Saturday, November 7 at 10:00 am. A luncheon will be served following the service. For parking guidance, please use the following link. https://centralforgood.org/directions

Private interment at Resurrection Cemetery.