PATRICIA "PAT" ANN CASPERSEN

Pat, a 30-year resident of Mount Vernon, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, April 17.

In her final days, people who loved her came from as far as Alaska to say goodbye. She was 39 and holding.

Pat was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on March 23, 1938 to Louis and Mary Murren. She moved many times in her young life. When she lived in Chicago with her mom and sister, she enjoyed going to the movies, sometimes staying all day. Her grandmother helped to raise her which she was always grateful for.

In high school Pat choose to move to Bremerton, Washington to live with her father to finish school. The family moved to California but Pat was able to go back to South Kitsap High School to graduate class of 1956 with her friends.

In August 1957 Pat went to Ketchikan, Alaska to visit her mother and her mother’s new husband. While there she met Harold A. Caspersen in the Marine Bar and that first night he told her he would someday marry her. They were married in December of that same year. Together they lived in Point Baker and Ketchikan, Alaska; Seattle, La Conner, and Mount Vernon, Washington.

La Conner had a special place in their hearts as they were there for 20 years raising kids. They had three children: John, Janene, and Thor. “Mrs. C” as Pat was known opened her home and heart to many; taking in her niece and nephew, Jann and Jerry Caspersen, for a time and cooking huge, delicious meals which La Conner kids were always welcome at. One Christmas a group of La Conner kids got together and surprised Pat by showing up wearing t-shirts that read, ‘Mrs. C’s boys.’ It was something that she never forgot.

Pat was a wife and mother. Caring for the house and kids while her husband worked first as a fisherman and then a tug boat captain. In 1987 Harold and Pat became owner-operators contracting for North American Van Lines and traveled the country together, from corner to corner and in between. In 2002 they retired but continued traveling the country for three years until Pat’s health kept them close to home.

Pat celebrated 34 years of sobriety with Alcoholics Anonymous this year. She was accomplished at knitting and crocheting and hosted a weekly Stitch-and-Bitch in her home. Many people benefited from her love of knitting, both through her beautiful projects and her teaching. “Gramie” was a devoted grandmother, forever checking up and cheering on her grandchildren. She loved purple, the Seahawks, and buffalos.

Pat is survived by her husband, Harold; her children, John (Robyn), Janene (Richard), Thor (Dawn); her nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren with one more on the way; her sisters-in-law Terri Murren and Janene Caspersen Mikel; brother-in-law Carl Moody Caspersen (Richard) and many other friends and family who will miss her dearly.

Pat was and the family is so grateful to the staff at Skagit Valley Hospital and the Life Care Center of Mount Vernon for the care she received. Pat will be cremated so that she can go home with her husband of 59 years. The family thanks Kern Funeral Home for their assistance. There will be no service but good wishes are welcome at 2210 Old Hwy. 99 So. Road Space #23, Mount Vernon, Washington.