Patricia (Kimel) Dart

Former Clearwater resident Patricia Rae (Kimel) Dart died Sunday, August 13, 2017 at the age of 84. Pat passed peacefully in her apartment at Horizon House in Anchorage surrounded by family and friends. Pat was born on February 14, 1933 in Clearwater, Kansas, to Herschel Raymond Kimel and Marie Cooper Kimel. Pat had one older sister, Maurine Kimel Blackwell. Pat attended elementary through high school in Clearwater, and graduated in May, 1950. Pat attended the Kansas State Teacher College of Emporia (now known as Emporia State University), and received a Bachelors of Science and Education in 1956. Pat went on to receive a Masters equivalency in Education in later years. Pat married Julian Lauterbach from Clearwater, Kansas in 1953. The couple had one daughter, Sharon Kaylene. Pat taught Kindergarten and 1st grade in the Clearwater Elementary School from 1956-1961. She was a member and organist at the First Christian Church in Clearwater. Pat and Julian were divorced in 1957. Pat married Donald Leroy Dart in 1961. The couple had two daughters, Donna Marie and Susan Raydene. The family settled in Coalinga, California in 1962. Pat taught Kindergarten and 1st grade at Avenal Elementary School from 1963-1969. Pat was an organist at the American Baptist Church in Coalinga. The family moved to Anchorage, Alaska in 1969. Pat was a skilled and avid pianist and organist so her talents were always in demand to play at weddings, memorial services, as an accompanist, or to provide music for special events. Pat was an organist at the Free Methodist Church in Anchorage, a member and organist at the First Christian Church, Anchorage and most recently an organist at the Turnagain United Methodist Church, Anchorage. Pat was a Kindergarten teacher in the Anchorage School District from 1969-1995. She taught at Wonder Park Elementary, Northwood Elementary and Williwaw Elementary Schools. Pat was active in the education and masonic communities in Anchorage. She was a member and musician for Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Zeta Chapter; NEA – Alaska; Alaska Retired Educators Association, and the Central Alaska Retired Teachers Association. Pat was also a lifetime member and musician for the Order of the Eastern Star, Denali Chapter #16, Order of the Eastern Star, Mat-Su Valley Chapter #14, and Alaska Court #1, Order of the Amaranth. Pat was a member of the Fiers-Brown Society of the Christian Church Foundation.