Patricia Ann Kirkegaard

Patricia Ann Kirkegaard was a Fresno artist who passed away peacefully at home, in the presence of family, on Wednesday, February 17, 2016. Born on September 1, 1927, she was the eldest daughter of Ray and Ethel Wells of Sioux City, IA. Patricia graduated from Sioux City Central High School and the University of Iowa. An independent spirit, she was the first female on the college fencing team. Despite her academic major in English, she was also prone to submitting interpretations of literature as paintings rather than written compositions. Patricia was an accomplished singer and pianist, passing on love of music that ranged from Bach to Broadway to her children and grandchildren.

It was at the University of Iowa that Patricia met Dale Duane Kirkegaard. Although her father said that it was 'like hitching a work horse to a race horse', the marriage that began on June 17, 1950, thrived until Dale's death on Christmas Eve of 2014. The photograph was taken on their 50 year wedding anniversary.

In 1953 and 1954, after Dale completed his combat tour as a Surgeon in an Army Field Hospital in Korea, the young couple lived in Kyoto, Japan, with their baby son Lance. Japanese culture and art became a source of inspiration to Patricia throughout her life. In 1957, they moved to Fresno with Lance and baby daughter, Karla, to establish Dale's general surgical practice. Patricia was able to pursue many of her passions here including painting, skiing, golfing and modeling, as well as attendance of operas, concerts and theater. She will be remembered for her style, wit, and life of the party flamboyance, as well as her love of family, friends, and the natural world. She embraced learning and doing one's best. "Aim for the stars, or you'll never get there", was an often repeated expression both relentless and encouraging to her children and grandchildren, all of whom excelled in their higher education.

The family would like to thank Patricia's physicians, Dr. Perminder Bhatia, Dr. George Liu, and fellow Hawkeye, Dr. Normal Sigel for their expert, supportive care. Following the death of her cherished husband, the care and companionship provided by Wanda Weldon, Valentina Gomez, Lisa Weldon, Samantha Salomen and Estelle Swanepoel made it possible for Patricia to remain in her much loved home. A special thank you to St. Agnes Hospice; and visiting Hospice Nurse, Ann Monihan, for timely and compassionate end of life care.

Patricia is survived by her son, Lance Kirkegaard and his wife Lisa Wiggins; daughter, Karla Kirkegaard and husband Peter Sarnow; grandchildren, Sarah Shelly, Erin Kirkegaard, Evan Kirkegaard, and Lukas Sarnow; great-granddaughters, Sabina and Reina Shelley; and sister, Vernita Lewallen.

A Graveside Service will be held at Belmont Memorial Park on Saturday, March 5, 2016, at 1:30 p.m. A reception at the Fresno Art Museum, 2233 N. First Street, will follow at 2:45 p.m.

Remembrances may be made to the Fresno Art Museum in gratitude for its long term support of Patricia's painting.

Arrangements under the direction of Stephens & Bean Funeral Chapel, Fresno, CA.