Patricia Ann Straling
November 9, 1936 - August 20, 2024
Patricia was born in Los Angeles, California on November 9, 1936, and died in her home in Gardnerville Nevada, on August 20, 2024. She was 87 years old. Her birth and death are important, but of more significance is her wonderful journey throughout the 87 years she lived. Here are just a very few highlights of her life.
Patricia, or “Pat”, as she called herself, grew up in Los Angeles California with her parents Elizabeth and Francis Polhamus. She had two brothers Richard and Eugene, and one sister Theresa. She attended St. Bernadine’s High School, and later Valley College, both in San Bernadino, California. When she was in her thirties, she attended Long Beach Community College and received her nursing degree.
Pat married George, her high school sweetheart, on her 21st birthday. She had had three children, Elizabeth, Mary, and Edward. Patricia was a homemaker for many years, supporting the family and children at home, in school and with athletic endeavors. Pat worked as a nurse at Los Altos hospital for a while as well.
Pat was a gifted athlete and participated in many sports competitively while in high school and throughout her life, all the way into her 60’s. She loved diving, swimming, basketball, baseball, volleyball, volley tennis, and golf. She was an enthusiastic cheerleader for the children and assisted in coaching teams for park and recreation leagues. Pat was an avid and longtime Dodger’s fan and watched all the games, often sporting her Dodger’s jacket to bring them luck.
After Pat married George, they lived in Reno Nevada, Colton, and Long Beach California. They moved back to Nevada in 1990 and built their dream home on 5 acres in Chambers Field. During retirement Pat and George enjoyed working on their property, as well as entertaining
family and friends who came to visit. Often family and friends would stay in the 2 story “barn” they built on their property. Pat and George traveled around the United States in their trailer and enjoyed many wonderful trips abroad. Often, they would take off for a month or more to
explore destinations in England, France, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Australia, and New Zealand. They also loved traveling with family and friends and had many great stories to tell of the sites they saw and adventures they enjoyed.
Pat leaves behind her loving husband of almost 67 years, 3 children, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, neighbors, and friends. Pat will be dearly missed by all those who knew her.
A private celebration of life is planned for Pat with invited family and friends.
A special thanks to the Carson-Tahoe medical group, as well as Eden home health and hospice, who gave Pat and the family guidance and support.