Patrick Michael Stalder's Obituary
Patrick Michael Stalder was born in Renton Washington on April 13th 1971. He passed away unexpectedly on June 17th 2017. He grew up in the Tukwila area and graduated from Foster high school in 1989. He was raised by his mother Ellen (Rackliff) Beall along with his 3 brothers Vince, John, Chris and sister Stacy.
He shared many humorous and harrowing stories about his rough and tumble childhood with older siblings sometimes left in charge but they were fond memories of the rowdy escapades of he and his brothers and sister.
While growing up, Patrick enjoyed spending time with his grandfather Louis Rackliff whom he dearly loved. His grandfather taught him a lot about cars, gardening and how to drive a tractor. He also spoke of his step father Les Beall who was a building contractor and who he credited with teaching him many of the carpentry skills he had as an adult.
Patrick met his wife Deanne Stalder in 1998. She made the first move. It was love at first sight. Together they raised Patrick’s son Elijiah.
Patrick worked for the Department of Social and Health Services at Rainier School in Buckley working with intellectually disabled adults for the last 20 years and made many friends there.
As far as talents go Patrick could do it all. He was extremely capable. Anything that needed to be built, repaired, planted he just did it. Patrick just made things happen. Patrick was an avid gardener, landscaper, carpenter, auto mechanic, athlete the list goes on and on.
Patrick loved his home and his yard and took pride in all of the work he’d put into it. What started as a yard filled with rocks is now beautiful and full of color. Patrick planted many trees from seedlings which are now soaring, built arbors covered with wisterias, planted vegetables and fruit trees and put lots of work into his lawn.
Patrick did not wait for life to come to him he just took things into his own hands. If he wanted something or wanted to do something, Patrick just made it happen.
Patrick was an Eagles member and enjoyed playing poker. He liked playing poker but what he really liked was to “win” and was at times satisfied with a chop.
One of Patrick’s most favorite things was fishing. He was an avid fisherman. He loved fishing on the Carbon river catching Salmon and he spent lots of time with friends doing just that. And of course, like with everything else he did, he was great at it and gladly shared his catch with anticipating relatives.
There are so many fond memories of camping trips to the Oregon Coast, racing quads through the dunes with the vast crashing waves of the ocean and the sunset as the backdrop.
Patrick was a go getter. He did not wait around for adventures to come to him, he was the adventure.
Patrick had more friends than can be counted. He was magnetic, he lit up the room. He was charming, talented, handsome and friendly not in the least bit shy. You never had to wonder what Patrick thought because he simply said whatever was on his mind. He was not afraid of life or what other people thought he was true to himself. He wasn’t afraid of anything.
Patrick loved building a fire in the fire pit in the back of the property with family and friends. The burnt edges of the firs trees above the fire pit show the height of past bon fires.
Patrick loved being a part of the extended Kvamme family. Norwegians can make for a quiet gathering so Patrick’s energy and openness was a treasured addition.
It goes without saying that Patrick loved his family. He loved his son Elijiah and was over the moon for his 2-year-old grandson Mason.
Patrick also loved his dog Raleigh, and Raleigh was madly in love as well. All Patrick needed to do was walk in the door and Raleigh would get so excited he could hardly contain himself.
As his wife, I describe Patrick as simply the “Love of my life”. In preparation for this memorial service while looking through photos and many of Patrick’s things I was deeply touched to see all of the birthday, valentines & anniversary cards that Patrick had kept from me over the years. The common theme of them all was the fact that I had always written, “You are the one.” But even without the cards I know that Patrick always knew that for me…. “He was the ONE”.
To quote a movie line, I have concluded that if we are to live life in harmony with the universe, we must all possess a powerful faith, and cling to the belief that life is not merely a series of meaningless accidents or coincidences. But rather, it’s a tapestry of events that culminate in an exquisite, sublime plan, and knowing that one day we will meet again.
Patrick Michael Stalder is survived by his wife Deanne (Kvamme) Stalder, his son Elijiah Stalder, Elijiah’s girlfriend Michelle Cheek, Elijiah and Michelle’s son, (Patrick’s grandson) Mason Stalder, Patrick’s mother Ellen Beall, brothers John Stalder and Chris Smith, sister Stacy Stalder and is preceded in death by his brother Vince Stalder.
Patrick also leaves behind numerous extended family members and countless friends. He will be profoundly missed.
A Memorial Service will be held on July 8, 2017 at the Sumner United Methodist Church. 901 Wood Avenue. Sumner, WA. 98390 at 1:00 with reception following.
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