Patricia W. Daw

May 7, 1931 ~ January13, 2018

Memorial Services and Celebration for Pat’s life will be 1pm on Saturday, February 3, 2018, at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 300 S. Minnesota Ave., Sioux Falls, SD. The family will be present to greet friends and relatives following the service until 3:30pm. Please wear something colorful or bright, in honor of Pat’s joyful life. A light lunch will be provided.

Patricia W. Daw, was born Patricia Ann White on May 7, 1931, in Moline, Illinois, to Clifford and Borghild White. Pat graduated from MHS where she played the clarinet and bassoon, loved to sing and ice skate, as well as swim in the Mississippi River when the family spent summers on Campbell’s Island.

Pat attended Grinnell College, and then transferred to the University of Iowa’s nursing school. On a blind date, she met her future husband, Edward Francis Daw. They married in 1953. After graduation, Pat worked in community health nursing in Des Moines while Ed finished medical school. Pat soon gave birth to Cindy, the first of six children. They moved to Herlong, CA, where Ed served as Army general duty medical officer. Pat gave birth to Beth in Herlong, and often spoke about hanging diapers up out on the line, only to immediately take them back down, as they dried quickly in the desert air. The remaining four children, Dave, John, Sarah, and Jessie, were born in Rochester, MN, after Ed had taken a fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. After 5 years, they moved the family to Sioux Falls when Ed took an anesthesiology position at Sioux Valley hospital.

Pat stayed very active throughout her life. She was a competitive figure skater, bringing home several trophies, a master bridge player, and an ardent water and downhill skier. Pat ran A.R. Systems, Inc., a computer billing service, for several years out of the Daw house on East 32nd Street in Sioux Falls. Learning programming language, her first computer was delivered to the house in the mid-70’s and took up almost a whole room. Pat also loved to swim in the backyard pool, inviting her neighborhood friends for laps and socializing in the evenings. Pat also was an avid and skilled knitter, often making sweaters for the family, as well as for the newborns of friends.

Pat cherished her dogs. In 1980, Ed surprised her with their first chow chow, Kuma. That was the beginning of chows becoming a staple in the Daw household. Every day started with dog walks, whatever the weather. Ed and Pat skied many of the Rocky Mountain resorts in Colorado and Utah, but ultimately made Steamboat Springs their permanent home in 1985. Pat continued to stay busy in Steamboat, welcoming family and friends in the winter to ski and enjoy
the beautiful summers.

In 2004, Pat moved to Aberdeen, SD, to live with her daughter, Jessie. In 2009, she was diagnosed with dementia, and showed incredible spirit and a “happy-go-lucky” attitude during her years living with the disease. During this time, her sense of humor only grew and the people around her were continually surprised at her joy and humor. In 2014, Jessie took a new position in Sioux Falls and Pat, Jessie, and Karen (Jessie’s partner) created a new home on the west side of town. Pat loved the Sound of Music and, during the last years of her life, singing and dancing to the Sound of Music was a regular occurrence. Pat also had wonderful recall for other obscure songs and poems from her childhood and adolescence. Some of her favorites included “I Wear My Pink Pajamas,” “There’s the Highland Dutch,” and “What a Wonderful Bird is the Pelican.”

The family is very appreciative for the help and support of community services. In Aberdeen, Pat attended Mother Joseph’s day program, and resided for 5 months at Bethesda Nursing Home. Upon arrival in Sioux Falls, Pat attended Active Generations’ Daybreak program, and then Ceili Cottage. After leaving Ceili, Pat entered hospice services provided by Asera care and the services of Prosperous Home Health. Pat could not have stayed at home without the involvement from these wonderful people. Special thanks go to Robin, Lorelei, and Deb from Active Generations/Ceili; Chelsey, Alyssa, Megan, and the rest of the Asera staff; and Flo, Melissa, Jan, and Mike from Prosperous.
Pat is survived by her sister, Gerry Charvat, of Loveland, CO, and her brother, Charles White and wife Faye, of Moline, IL, as well as by her children Cynthia A. Daw, D.C. (Steamboat Springs, CO), Elizabeth M. Daw, and son Adam (Denver, CO), David C.Daw and sons Michael and Christopher (Anoka, MN), John C. Daw, D.O., wife Jane, sons Patrick and Bradley, and daughters Ellie and Suhani (Longmont, CO), Sarah C. Daw (Stanchfield, MN), and Jessica L. Daw, Ph.D., partner Karen Gerety (Sioux Falls, SD).

Patricia is preceded in death by her husband, Edward; and two sisters, Betty Hansen and Amy Hansen Van Arsdall.

Sympathy cards and/or personal stories may be sent to Jessie Daw at PO Box 88343, Sioux Falls, SD, 57109.

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