Steamboat Pilot & Today

Former Steamboat Springs resident Patricia Anne "Pat" Neste died of degenerative lung disease March 12, 2006, in Olathe, Kan. She was 71.

Pat was born April 10, 1934, in Fargo, N.D. She was the daughter of Arthur F. and Vivian (Barnes) Brenckle.

She spent her childhood in Fargo, N.D., Iowa and Greeley. She was a high school graduate.

Pat married Larry Drake, and their union was blessed with three children. She and her family lived in Utah, Arizona and Glenwood Springs. Larry worked in railroading, mining and lineman work for various electric companies until he preceded Pat, a homemaker, in death in 1969.

In 1987, Pat married Blaine Neste in Steamboat Springs, where she loved to camp, fish and grow flowers. Pat was known for having the prettiest flower garden in the entire town. She also enjoyed traveling.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband; sister Vivian; brother Jack; stepson Eric; grandson Jake; brother-in-law John Burbridge; and son-in-law John Thomas.

Surviving members who were honored to share Pat's life include her husband, Blaine Neste of Olathe, Kan.; her three children, Ralfaelite and Bob Luna, of Wiggins, Kristine Thomas of Savery, Wyo., and Larry "Dan" Drake and Barbie of Livermore; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brother Gordon Brenckle of Greeley; sister Barbara Burbridge of Fort Collins; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be scheduled and announced for sometime this summer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent in memory of Pat Neste to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, CO 81402.