Patricia Ann Dahlgren

Patricia Ann Dahlgren, our beloved, intelligent, and courageous wife, mother and grandmother, age 83, passed away January 2nd, 2022, at Mountain View Hospital. Patricia was born January 28th, 1938 in a room behind the main house in Blackwell, Oklahoma to Dorothy (Turvey) and Dale West.

Patricia moved with her family at the age of 9 to Albuquerque, NM, where she grew up, eventually went to college, married and raised a family. In 1960, she graduated from the University of New Mexico with honors, her degree in Education, belonged to Pi Kappa Phi, and then went on to teach 6th grade in Albuquerque elementary schools.

At a young age, Pat began piano lessons, becoming an outstanding piano player. She played during recitals, school events and social events. She also possessed a beautiful singing voice, filling the house with cheerful melodies during the holidays, memories her family cherish.

Patricia married Dirk Dahlgren November 9th, 1967 in Albuquerque. After they married, Pat stayed home to focus on and raise their four children. Summers were days spent at the Coronado club pool, with Patricia taking the kids for swim lessons followed by a full day of playing in the pool.

During holiday and summers Pat enjoyed family road trips all over the country in the blue Pontiac. The family spent time visiting museums, oceans, exploring mountains and amusement parks. Patricia's passion for travel, her inquisitive mind, her hobbies, did not go unnoticed by her offspring, but served to encourage and develop an independent, courageous spirit in each one of them.

In Albuquerque, she enjoyed growing beautiful roses in her backyard. And, she always had a beautiful Siamese cat, whom she especially loved and doted on. As the children grew up, Patricia became a technical secretary at Sandia National Laboratories, working there for the next ten years. During this time Pat and Dirk traveled extensively, socialized and generally had a great time enjoying life.

Patricia, determined to conquer her fear of water, took swim lessons in her late forties. She then learned to water and snow ski, doing both for many years. Travel included camping in the mountains and at the lake, Lake Powell house boat trips, ski trips and European trips. In 1996, Dirk retired from Sandia Lab and in 1999, Patricia and Dirk made the life changing decision to sell their Albuquerque home and settle in Las Vegas NV. Being adventurous as they both are, they lived in their RV, with their cat, as their beautiful, new home was built Patricia's life in Las Vegas with Dirk was one of travel plans and trips. Cruises were the favorites and she especially loved seeing Saint Petersburg, Russia and French Polynesia. Motor-homing became a regular activity with a trip always on the calendar. The couple joined the Bounder and the FMCA Blackjack groups in Las Vegas, then traveled extensively throughout the most of the US. Trips with motor home groups gave the couple the opportunity to socialize and forge new friendships. During the years, these trips included three extended trips to Alaska and several to Disney World, both favorites.

They took their motor home to Florida, the East and West coast, throughout the Rocky Mountains and the Southwest, visiting family and friends, seeing all the sites along the way. It wasn't unusual for this adventure-loving couple to be on a trip for months at time.

During Patricia's last several years she wasn't able to travel due to some medical problems keeping her close to home. Being the resilient and courageous woman we all know and love, she continued to look forward to visits from family and friends. And the hopes of traveling with her beloved Dirk, once again.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Dirk Dahlgren, four children, Lisa Marie LaRusch, Michael Wayne Gerety, wife Heather Gerety, Stephanie Kay Dahlgren, Eric Christopher Dahlgren, wife Oma Dahlgren, grandchildren; Leah LaRusch, Justin LaRusch wife Rosa LaRusch, Jenna LaRusch, Dirk Dahlgren, Donald Dahlgren, Great granddaughter Sophia Marie LaRusch. Brother, Dale West of Long Beach, Ca. Sister Linda Faire of Albuquerque, NM. And most lovingly, her cat, RubyRose.

A visitation for Patricia will be held Wednesday, January 19, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Palm Cheyenne Mortuary, 7400 West Cheyenne Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89129. A reception will occur Wednesday, January 19, 2022 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, 7400 West Cheyenne Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89129. A funeral service will occur Thursday, January 20, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 7400 West Cheyenne Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89129. A committal service will occur Thursday, January 20, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Palm Northwest Cemetery, 6701 North Jones Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89131.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmcheyenne.com for the Dahlgren family.