Patricia Anne Keck (Patti) was born just in time in Van Nuys, CA where her parents Paul and Alice Sloane rushed through the hospital doors and Patti arrived just minutes later. Patti was the second of two daughters and her quick arrival set the stage for her next eventful sixty three years.

Patti was never the quiet one in the corner. She was on center stage wherever she was chattering away and often being in the way. Life was not easy for her as she suffered through some medical difficulties her entire life, not that it slowed her down much. At a young age Mom, Dad and older sister were into horses and Patti had her own pony to tag along with. She had other critters too, her favorite bunny, guinea pig, chickens and turkeys, Dachshund's, and cats. Her family was an active bunch going on many adventures.

One experience that comes to mind was that a radio station broadcasted a contest that offered a new above ground swimming pool to anyone who could teach a chicken to swim. Older sister Sherri and Patti set out to do just that and took pictures of the wet hen and wrote an instruction book, and sent it in. THEY WON. The whole family and chicken had to go to the radio station for pictures. It was a hoot standing in the lobby with a chicken in the big city. Patti loved it. We also enjoyed camping and backpacking as a family.

After Patti reached her teens routine life at home was not adventurous enough so she joined the Army and was shipped off to Ft. Dix in New Jersey to become a Soldier, she loved firing the machine guns. While in the Army she met her first husband and as their tours of duty ended they returned to Leona Valley, California where they began their family welcoming a Daughter and Son. As it often happens the marriage did not last and Patti eventually re-married and moved to St. Ignis, Michigan with her new husband who was an aircraft mechanic and his two sons and Patti’s Daughter and Son. The bitter winters and snow was a bit much for a California girl and she returned to a warmer climate as a single woman where she found work and a place to live in Utah.

One day Patti was battling with a big spider in her shed and asked a neighbor to rescue her from the beast. A Gallant warrior saved her and they soon began a seventeen year relationship. That gallant warrior was Russell Bangerter, who has been by her side including at her passing. He was the love of her life and her very best friend. Together they had a number of fur babies that were at the center of their lives. She would want us to remember her nephew, Robbie, they have been very chose and best friends for many years.

Patti was a loving and gentle soul who was very kind and always willing to help. She saw a posting on Facebook where a man needed a wheelchair for his wife, Patti contacted him and gave him her wheelchair until the ladies death when he returned it with gratitude. Did not matter if you were a stranger of friend, she would help you.

Since she was a young girl she began following football, baseball and later hockey with her Dad. She has two televisions and recorders going so she would not miss a game.

Patti slipped away quietly surrounded by her family.

It’s difficult when you miss someone and they aren’t there….. But one thing to remember is this: If you miss them, it means you were lucky. It means you had someone truly special in your life, someone worth missing.