Patricia Ruth "Pat" Clinger, age 72, of North Platte unexpectedly passed away on May 12, 2024.
Pat was born May 14, 1951, to Carol and Mary (Eagan) Fairley at Hutchinson, KS. Shortly after Pat was born the family relocated to North Platte, where she grew up. She graduated from NPHS in 1969, then received her Associates Degree from Mid-Plains Community College and her Bachelor's Degree in Education from Kearney State College.
Pat taught and substitute taught in many communities including Ansley, Broken Bow, Loup City and Litchfield. After her children where grown, Pat followed her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. She was an EMT with the Ansley Fire and Rescue for many years then worked at CHI Hospital in Grand Island before transferring to North Platte Great Plains Regional Medical Center. Pat worked in various departments throughout the hospitals and eventually retired.
On April 23, 1972, Pat married Calvin Clinger. They were blessed with three children, Shaun, Jared and Crystal, and lived on a farm near Ansley. Pat was very involved with the kids and their school activities, 4-H, FFA and Boy Scouts. She was so proud of her sons for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.
Not only was Pat a part of her children's lives, she also worked with children through youth groups and taught Sunday School at the Baptist Church where she was an active member and Deaconess. After she and Calvin moved to North Platte, they attended First Christian Church.
Pat was an amazing and caring woman. Her family was always most important to her and she will be greatly missed.
Pat was preceded in death by her father, Carol Fairley; parents-in-law, Melvin and Mary Ann Clinger; and nephews, Jonathan Goodwater and Paul Kolesar.
She is survived by her mother, Mary Fairley, and husband, Calvin, of North Platte; children, Shaun Clinger (Marla Stowell) of Des Moines, IA, LTC (R) Jared Clinger (Jennifer) of Leavenworth, KS, and Crystal Contreras (Santos) of Lexington; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Clinger of Des Moines, IA; grandchildren, Mallory Porter (Trey), Megan Clinger, Elizabeth McKinney (Zachary), Victoria Clinger, Alexandra Clinger, Christian Contreras, Cristina Contreras and Nathaniel Clinger; sister, Marilyn Kolesar of Sun Lakes, AZ; brothers, John Fairley (Linda) of Minatare and Bill Fairley (Mary) of North Platte; great-grandchildren, Hudson and Adalyn Porter; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family.
Services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 18, at First Christian Church. Visitation is Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and with family greeting from 5-7 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are to Mid-Plains Community College Nursing Scholarship. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.