Patricia Joy Stegner

Patricia Joy Stegner, 96, of Fort Collins, CO passed away peacefully on May 31, 2025. She lived a long, full life, and was ready for the next chapter. Pat was a beacon of kindness, deeply loved by all who knew her. Pat was born in Phillips, WI on April 11, 1929 to Jessie Easton Frank and Frederick Frank, soon baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church, and later moved to Marshfield at age 11. As the fifth of eight children growing up during the Great Depression, her childhood was not always easy, but it was filled with fond memories - swimming in the creek, exploring the woods, picking wildflowers, learning how to dance, and cooking with her grandmother, Barbara. At age 18, Pat set off west to Phoenix, Arizona. She attended Lawson Business School, which led her to work for a woman lawyer - a feat for the 40s! Through her brother Glen, she met her future husband, Willard “Bill” Stegner. They were married on March 5th, 1949, and quickly started their adventure. Over the next 15 years, they moved throughout Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado as Bill transferred for work. As they moved, they built a family - Steven Eric, Daniel Paul, John Bruce, Philip Willard, and Susan Patricia. As Pat said, “Happy Day - a girl, finally.” The Stegners settled in Durango, Colorado in 1964. Once all of her children were in school, Pat decided it was time to go back to work. She completed LPN school, and joined the staff at Mercy Hospital, where she worked as a nurse for 10 years. While in Durango, Pat was an active member of her church, St. Paul’s, and enjoyed spending time outdoors with her family - vacationing, skiing, camping, hiking, picnicking, etc. In 1980, Bill transferred to Denver, and Pat spent another 10 years nursing at Little Sisters of the Poor, where she made many new friends. Pat and Bill both retired in 1992 and did the only sensible thing - they bought a motorhome and took many, many trips to see places, family, and friends. Pat loved to travel and was particularly fond of memories of their vacations in Hawaii and Mexico; many trips with her children and grandchildren; trips to Canada, England, Scotland, and France; as well as a wonderful trip to Wales with her dear sister Vivan and brother-in-law Denny, where they participated in a house swap! For the last 27 years of her life, Pat lived in Fort Collins, Colorado. This was the longest she’d ever lived in one place! Here, Pat continued to fill her life with things that brought her joy. A lifelong Lutheran, she quickly joined Peace with Christ church, and made many friends there, participating in Tag, Joy Circle, and Bible study. You could often find her at the Senior Center for exercise classes or events with the Good Times Dance Club. It was here that she met her dear friend, Jerry Warren, with whom she spent many happy days over nearly 15 years. Her favorite place in Fort Collins, however, was her home. She loved spending time with her dogs, in her garden, watching the birds (her binoculars were never far away), and celebrating countless holidays, birthdays, and, really, any day with her family. Her hobbies included sewing, crocheting, embroidery, cooking and baking, music, dancing, gardening, birding, hiking, traveling, wildflower identification, photography, family activities, and reading, especially historical novels and mysteries. Above all, Pat loved her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, two sisters, husband, Bill, son, Daniel, and dear friend Jerry Warren. She is survived by her children Steven (Donna), John (DeAnne), Philip (Laurie), and Susan Shields (Don); her grandchildren Peter, Ben, Eric, Rachel, Fiona, Ian, Aidan, Andre, Pat, and Chris; and her nine great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Gardens on Spring Creek.