Pat Corrigan

Pat Corrigan passed away on Sunday, Oct. 12th, 2008 at her home in Fort Collins. Attended by her children, she was surrounded by family throughout her rapid decline. Pat was born in Mitchell, S.D., on Jan. 9, 1925 to Dr. Karl E. Stair and Isabel Neoma Craven Stair. She attended schools in Mitchell, Kadoka, Pine Ridge, and graduated from Brookings High School in 1943. Her grandparents founded and operated the historic Open Buckle Bar ranch on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. She worked in the Pine Ridge Telephone Office and was briefly married in 1944, resulting in a stillborn child, Gloria Mills, in June of 1945. In 1948, Pat married Paul A. Dressen in Mitchell, and began raising her family in South Dakota and Nebraska. After five towns and six kids, she was afraid to move for fear she'd have another baby! With six in tow, they relocated to Sonoma, Calif., then to Colorado in 1967. In 1974, Pat, Paul and the two youngest returned to Mitchell. Divorced in 1978, and with the kids graduated, Pat became a single empty nester. Working at Brown's Shoe Fit through the 1980s, she treasured the company of special friends in Mitchell. In 1987, Pat caught the luck of the Irish when she married Bernard J. "Barney" Corrigan. They settled into a happy retirement. Barney loved his new family, but sadly passed in 1989. Pat moved to Fort Collins to be near her kids and help raise some of her grandchildren. She thoroughly enjoyed her last five years at Woodbridge Senior Apartments in Fort Collins. Pat was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, respectful of her Lakota heritage, and deeply committed to metaphysics and spiritual growth. Survivors include her six children, Mike Dressen of Sonoma, Calif., Pam Faraone of El Paso, Texas, Debbie Stafford of Aurora, Patrick Dressen of Durango, Priscilla Dressen of Fort Collins, and Peter George Dressen of LaPorte; as well as nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren total progeny, 28 so far!. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister, Isabel Neoma "Toni" Stair Flittie Callan. A reception will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday Oct. 18 at Woodbridge Senior Apartments followed by graveside services next to her great-grandmother near LaPorte. Friends may send condolences to the family at bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.