Patricia W. Bales

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(May 16, 1927 - June 7, 2015)

Patricia W. Bales, 88, of Cody, died at West Park Hospital on June 7, 2015.

Her spirit of integrity and generosity will be remembered, and she will be deeply missed.

Patricia was born to Henry and Nell Wallace in Seward, Alaska, on May 16, 1927.

Pat spent her growing-up years ranching on the Wood River near Meeteetse, and later the family bought a ranch up the South Fork on Bull Creek. Rass Bales, a cowboy riding by their place, would whistle at her. So, she said, “One day I whistled back.” This led to 57 years of the joys and tears of marriage.

Spending the rest of her life ranching on the South Fork, Pat was well known for her contributions to Cody Country Cowbelles, of which she was a charter member, and the Irma Flat Mothers Club. She generously spoiled family and friends with her cooking, skills as a seamstress, and most of all, her friendship and encouragement. She was an anchor and prime example of the ranchers on the South Fork.

Pat was preceded in death by husband, Rass; daughter, Rebecca; and son, Michael. 

She is survived by daughter, Margie, (Art) Thompson of Montana; Beckie, (Eb) Richie, Jep, Devon, Trista, and Cinch of Wyoming, Beth (Augie) Thompson-Bola of California, Frank (Mindy) Thompson, Corbin and Dane of Montana; daughter, Betsy (Rick) Struck of Wyoming; Jeremiah (Bambi) Struck and Carter of Colorado, Elizabeth (Dusty) French, Jaxson and Taytum of Florida; daughter, Priscilla (Matt) Bell of Wyoming, and Michael’s daughters Elisha (David) Hatch and Maggie Rae of Wyoming, Shay Bales of Wyoming; niece, Laura (Pete) Zappas, Zoe, Olivia and Daniel of Ohio; and special sons, Alan (Holly) Gorst of Washington, Zane Bennett of Wyoming, Justin (Kathy) Dimzoff of Oregon; and cousin Frank (Sandy) Hinners of Arizona/Wyoming.

To honor her wishes, she was cremated, and there will be no services.

For her love of learning and love of animals, the Rass and Pat Bales Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established at Pinnacle Bank, C/O Tacie Merrill, 627 Yellowstone Ave., Cody, WY 82414, or memorial donations can be made to the Park County Humane Society.

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