Patricia Doreen (Turner) Edmundson was born on April 5, 1935, near Cassville, Missouri, to Lester Loren Turner and Vera (Phillips) Turner. She passed away peacefully on February 15, 2025, after a long, happy, and fruitful life.

Her family moved to Hoisington, Kansas, when Pat was just three months old. Pat's early years were filled with joy, riding with her father in their Model T, carrying her cap gun six-shooter, and being a carefree child. Legend has it that her mother made her a new dress every day! With her "Shirley Temple" curls, she was simply adorable.

The family later relocated to Hood River, Oregon, where her father worked as a lineman for PP&L, and her mother was a floor lady at Stadelman Fruit Company. Since boys and girls were segregated during recess in the fourth grade, it wasn't until seventh grade that Pat met her future husband, John. Pat and "Eddie" (as she affectionately called him) began their friendship in math class, where they would chat after finishing their assignments early, despite sharp reprimands from their teacher. Pat's family eventually moved to The Dalles, Oregon, where she attended high school, graduating in 1953. She was active in sports, music (playing the clarinet), and was extremely social. Despite living in rival towns, she continued to visit Eddie in Hood River regularly. John jokes that Pat had to "chase him up several mountains to catch him," including Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Hood (twice!), and Mt. Adams (twice!). Pat and John were married on December 29, 1956, and both became teachers. Their first child, Victoria Rae, was born in 1959, followed by Kristin Lee in 1960, and Jeffrey Brian in 1962. When Vicki was just six weeks old, Pat and Vicki flew to Boston, Massachusetts, to join John, who was participating in the National Education in Science Fellowship at Boston College. Pat thoroughly enjoyed this nine-month adventure.

Pat had an outstanding professional career as an elementary school teacher. She prepared for her teaching career by studying at Willamette University for one year, followed by three terms at Oregon State University and five terms at Oregon College of Education, where she graduated with a teaching degree in 1958. Notably, when Eddie and Pat were on their way to their honeymoon on the Oregon Coast, Eddie insisted on stopping in Monmouth so that Pat could register for school, even though she had planned to put her higher education on hold to support their family. When the new term at Oregon College of Education began, Pat showed her tenacity by hitchhiking to Monmouth from Salem every day to complete her teaching degree, as the young couple did not yet own a car.

Pat's first teaching assignment was with the Salem, Oregon School District, where she held various full-year positions and substitute teaching roles at different grade levels. While her husband was in graduate school at the University of Oregon, Pat taught for three years in the Springfield School District, which turned out to be a very rewarding experience.

While in the Salem area, Pat was involved in AAUW and an International Gourmet Cooking Group, among many other activities, including participating in Young Republicans. In the summer of 1972, John took a position as the principal at Ione in Eastern Oregon. Pat and John felt that moving the family to Eastern Oregon was the best decision they ever made. Pat took a position as a first-grade teacher in Heppner, where she taught for twenty-three years until her retirement, often teaching the children of her former students, and maybe even a third generation! Pat was an extremely skilled teacher who touched the lives of many students. She will be remembered as the beloved "Mrs. Edmundson." Many students will also remember sitting in her big clawfoot bathtub, filled with pillows, while they read a book.

Over the years, Pat enjoyed many outdoor activities with her family, including snow skiing, hiking, and camping. Pat showed her devotion to family by documenting their history with almost 100 photo albums. She was very generous in sharing her photography skills with family and friends, a true labor of love.

The family became avid golfers at Willow Creek Country Club (WCCC). Pat won several Women's Club Championships and served as the WCCC handicap chairperson, a position that garnered a statewide award from the Oregon Golf Association (OGA). She loved to golf and always followed the rules! Pat received a second annual award from the OGA as a local course director. Toll painting and bunco were two of Pat's favorite activities, often enjoyed with her beloved White Zinfandel wine. Pat also treasured her time with friends in the Bookworms Book Club and her Birthday Group, who were dedicated to celebrating birthdays with style and at least one toast! Playing a variety of games was always a favorite activity for Pat, who thoroughly enjoyed a wide range of card games from bridge to Uno, but perhaps her favorite game was Quiddler, which she shared with great enthusiasm.

Pat loved spending time with her six granddaughters and was instrumental in helping her youngest granddaughter, Jillian, overcome the challenges of autism spectrum disorder. Jilli owes much of her success to her grandma's early intervention.

Pat is survived by her devoted husband of 68 years, John; daughters Vicki Edmundson and Kristi (Mark) Smalley; son Jeff (Sheila) Edmundson; granddaughters Emily (Jason) Baumgartner, Erin (Shane) Lair, Kirsten (James) Papanastasiou, Jordan (Hugo) Santos, Megan (Nick) Shaffer, and Jillian Smalley; and great-grandchildren Audrey, Brooke, Raelee, Adley, Max, Archer, Owen, Henry, Jacoby, Evvy, Coco, Russy, Ada, Hattie, Georgia, and Tava.

Services will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church in Heppner, Oregon, on March 29, beginning at 11 am. Lunch will follow the service, with a private interment at Pine Grove Butte Cemetery near Hood River, Oregon. In honor of Pat's favorite color, please feel free to wear pink to her service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Special Olympics LP#510 c/o Kristi Smalley, 405 W. Moore Ave., Hermiston, OR 97838.

Sweeney Payton Mortuary is handling the arrangements.  Please leave your condolence messages for the family below.