Pat was born on October 31, 1942. She grew up on the family farm near Gilby, one of nine children born to Eli and Johanna Dyrland. It was a life of learning to be a hard worker, and the importance of family. When she left home, she worked at PTS (what later became Michener Centre) for a couple years, then moved to BC for a time, living where her sister Ellen and brother Roy lived with their spouses. She often talked of working at the Tasty Freeze there.

Later, she moved back to Eckville, living back at the family farm with her daughter Deb. She worked for many years in Eckville at Forhan’s Pharmacy, and enjoyed watching her daughter grow. Eventually, wanting a bit of a change, she moved to Red Deer, living with her sister Nancy and Nancy’s husband Dave. She lived with them for a few years, working at Woolco, which became Walmart. She lived in a few different places in Red Deer, sharing different apartments with her niece Karen, and sometimes Deb, when she wasn’t away at university. She loved her time living with Karen and became extremely close with her. In one of her proudest moments, she was able to buy her own house in Red Deer, which she enjoyed for many years. She stayed at Woolco / Walmart for nearly thirty years, until she was able to retire in 2007. After retirement, she enjoyed a well-deserved rest, and time to putter in her garden. She definitely inherited a love of flowers from her mother (as did her sisters… and her daughter).

In 2014, when her health began to decline, and the maintenance of her house became a bit too much, she returned full circle and moved back to Eckville, where she lived until her passing.  She passed away very peacefully, with her daughter at her side, at the Rimbey Hospital on May 26, 2026. She is finally able to rest and breathe without a struggle.

She will be missed by so many, including her daughter Debbie Dyrland (Evan Harbinson); her sisters, Ellen Klassen, Nancy (Dave) Watt; brother, Gord Dyrland; sister-in-law, Marlene Dyrland; and a great many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Her family was the most important thing in her life, and they brought her much joy.

Pat will now be joining her parents, Eli and Johanna; brothers, Don, Roy, Dick, and Bill; sister, Bernice; sisters-in-law Elaine and Joyce; brothers-in-law, Ken, Hank, and Ernie; as well as several cherished nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Pat’s Life will be held at the Gilby Hall on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 2pm, where people are invited to come and visit, sharing their memories and stories of Pat.

Donations, if desired, can be made in Pat’s name to the Canadian Cancer Society, or the Animal Rescue of your choice.