Patricia Ann Steige

Mar 8, 1938 -

Sep 7, 2024

On Sept. 7, 2024, Patricia Ann "Pat" Steige of Anchorage, Alaska, passed away, at the age of 86 years. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Janna (Steige) Hardy and Jeryll Steige-Meers; grandchildren, Jimmy Luper, Kalyssa Maile and Andrea Luper; brother, Robert Dixon and wife Pat; and niece, Carolyn Dixon; as well as numerous friends. Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, Robert J. and Miriam Dixon. She will also be missed by her sisters in PEO, the numerous nurses, faculty and students she both worked with and taught at the University of Alaska before she retired, and her friends at church.

Pat came to Alaska before statehood, at the age of 12, from New York, and graduated in 1955, from Anchorage High School, where she was active in Civil Air Patrol. Upon graduation, at the age of 17, she began her long career of nursing at the Harrisburg Hospital School of Nursing in Harrisburg, Pa. She came back to Alaska after nursing school to work as a nurse, and many years later completed her bachelors, masters and eventually received her doctorate at age 65, a feat she was most proud of. Past students from UAA noted that while she was strict when teaching and mentoring, she was also well respected as being knowledgeable, thorough and caring with her patients. Her bedside manner was highly regarded. Nursing was her life, and she thoroughly enjoyed it.

Pat always welcomed a challenge. She learned to fly a private plane in her mid-30s; she became Mrs. Kenai around the same time, and a few years later learned to play tennis and took up jogging to stay active. She was also a great lover of animals, particularly dogs and cats, and she enjoyed the game of bridge with her girlfriends. Her favorite color was red, which she wore proudly; and her favorite flowers were red poppies, which were displayed in numerous pieces of art throughout her home.

For the past two years, Pat resided at Jewel Lake Assisted Living, under the outstanding care of Grace Bonglo and team. Pat would light up with a smile when Grace entered the room and spoke to her. The family is most grateful to Grace for her loving guidance and attention with Pat's care and transition.

Please join us for a celebration of life for Pat on Dec. 29, 2024, at 2 p.m., at the Alaska Center for Spiritual Living, 929 East 81st Avenue in Anchorage.