- Date Of Birth: October 24, 1941
- Date Of Death: March 2, 2022
- State: Colorado
Patricia Ann (McLaren) Harder, known to most as Pat, passed away peacefully on Wednesday March 2, 2022. She was surrounded by family after unexpected heart complications following a recent open-heart surgery.
Pat was a Colorado girl, daughter to Jack and Betty McLaren, born in Denver on October 24, 1941. Pat graduated from Englewood High in 1959. She and Dave made Fort Collins their home as they raised their two boys. She continued her education to obtain her Bachelor of Science from Colorado State University and her master’s degree from Colorado University at Denver. Pat loved education and wanted to have her degrees prior to her son’s graduation from high school. She achieved her goal in 1977.
Pat’s life inspired love to others and in response she received loving nicknames: Mrs. H, Pontiac Pat, Gigi, G$ and Miss Pat. A select few called her Patty. Family was the depth of her heart and soul. Pat found her soulmate early in life. Pat and Dave fell in love in high school and celebrated 62 years of marriage last June. Pat found numerous ways to show her love and build her relationships with her two boys, her daughters-in-law, her grandchildren and her precious great granddaughter. It was Pat’s nature to be a friend and nurture relationships. That nurture spilled into countless friends and often turned an acquaintance into a warm encounter. That acquaintance would often call Pat their friend. Pat had a presence in a room, but she never needed to be the center of attention.
Her love for sports became a catalyst to create a common denominator within relationships. Her quick wit was often found on the golf course or when captivated by her beloved Colorado State Rams. She and Dave loved the green and gold and were often traveling to watch the Rams. Pat was a competitive golfer; she would bring her quick wit into strength and find a new level of determination that frequently served her well for the win. Sports became the introduction for Pat, and yet she could and would build a friendship to a deeper level.
Pat was also a career woman; she had a brief career as a teacher and then held positions as an executive administrator and CFO in the mortgage banking industry.
Pat is survived by her husband Dave, her sons Dan and (Marta) Harder, Tim and (Janice) Harder.
