Pat Dexter left this world to enter into the glory of her eternal home on July 1, 2016. She spent her final days surrounded by her family. Pat was 80 years old. She was born in Selma, California to Alvin Obert and Thelma Odom Obert Barbee. She then moved to DeKalb, Missouri in 1952. She graduated at the age of 16 from DeKalb High School. Then, her journey took her to Fresno, California where she worked for the telephone company. In 1954, she moved as a young adult to Lewistown, Montana with a dream of attending nursing school. There she met the love of her life, LuVerne “Swede” Dexter. They married on April 2, 1955. Together they lived in Great Falls, Montana, and then moved to Missouri in 1957. They had three children, Kris, Jeff, and Jenny. Pat continued to aspire to be a nurse and worked hard to gain entry into LPN training. She was turned down because she was married and too old, at that age of 30. She was perseverant and was accepted as a student and completed her degree in 1966. She then returned to Missouri Western State College in 1974 and became a Registered Nurse in 1978. She graduated Summa Cum Laude. She worked at Methodist Hospital in St. Joseph, Missouri. Her career was rich with experiences, and she was a talented nurse. She worked in intensive care, medical surgical, mental health, substance abuse, and infection control. She went on to work in mental health roles and as a school nurse for Buchanan Country R-IV in the years after her hospital retirement. Years after her final retirement, she continued to see nurse colleagues, with whom she would exchange fond stories. Pat was a strong Christian. She attended the DeKalb Christian Church where she was a good servant. She was a member of the Ladies Service Group and made and served many meals to families in need. She also loved all children, and she enjoyed volunteering at Vacation Bible School and in the Church Nursery. Pat was a life longer learner and had many hobbies. She spent years camping with her husband, Swede, and family. She was an exceptional conversationalist, always enjoying a joke, a trip down memory lane or debating recent news and political events. She loved to read books, the bible, and mystery books being her favorites. She was an avid baker and cook. She also had many craft talents, including crocheting, knitting, and plastic canvas. She made many gifts to give to people. Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Swede Dexter. She was also preceded in death by her parents Alvin Obert and Thelma and Eugene Barbee, and by her brother, John Obert. She is survived by her children, Kris Pepper and Dan of DeKalb, Missouri, Jeff Dexter and Pam of DeKalb, Missouri, and Jenny Skrbina and Rudy of DeKalb, Missouri, and her sister, Barbara Olson of Fresno, California. She had six grandchildren, Ryan Dexter and Nicole of DeKalb, Missouri, Rachel Pepper and Jason Loar of Platte City, Missouri, Hannah Thornton and Matt of St. Joseph, Missouri, Abby Dexter and Andrew Pflugradt of DeKalb, Missouri, Jake Dexter and Ashlee Grebe of DeKalb, Missouri, Garrett Skrbina of DeKalb, Missouri and Michael Skrbina of Las Vegas, Nevada. She has ten great grandchildren, Riley, Hunter and Kylee Dexter, Brett and Kasey Steiner, Kenzie and Khloe Leslie, Aubrey Thornton, JozLynn Dexter and Kenzie Grooms. She also has many friends and neighbors who will miss her. Services for Pat will be on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at 10 AM at Rupp Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening, July 5, 2016 from 5 PM to 8 PM at the Rupp Funeral Home.