Patricia “Patty” Peck, 57

Patty Peck passed away Saturday, January 25, 2014, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Patty was born March 19, 1956, as Patricia Anne Epperle, in Oceanside, California, to Eugene Harold Epperle Jr., and Melba Elizabeth Linder. The daughter of a Marine, she lived until 1959 near Camp Pendleton until moving north, finally settling in Weimar, California, in 1964. She enjoyed their home in the country, where she spent many happy hours playing baseball, swimming, camping and dreaming up many creative games to play. She loved to capture horned toads and make little houses for them out of shoeboxes, and would often dress up the family cats in doll clothes and take them out in doll strollers.

In 1971, she moved with her family to Athol, Idaho. In 1973, the family moved to Lovelock, Nevada, where Patty graduated high school in 1974. The family moved back to Athol, Idaho, in 1974.

While attending her sister Debbie’s wedding in 1973, Patty was introduced to Dale Peck, a newly commissioned officer in the Navy. After finishing a three year tour aboard ship, a love was quickly formed and on September 18, 1976, Dale and Patty married in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. They set up their first home in Connecticut. It was here in 1978 that they welcomed their first child, Philip. Three years later in 1981 in Washington, their second son, Michael, was born.

In the years that followed, Patty raised her family as a stay at home mom as they moved around the world, each place filled with family trips and adventures. Patty supported Dale in his military career, happily serving as an officer’s wife. Patty loved to throw parties for every occasion, be it a holiday or military function.

Following Dale’s retirement in 1993, Patty and family returned to Idaho. Here they built a new home on the family’s ranch near Bayview. Patty loved warm summer days in the garden, days on the boat fishing, and any excuse to gather the family for a party. It was here that Patty watched her boys become men and start families of their own. In the process, Patty gained two daughters, Bobbie Jo and Cassie, whom she loved as if they were her own.

With Patty’s home empty of children, she and Dale took every opportunity to travel. Many trips were made by car as Patty enjoyed the open road. Patty loved her quiet moments spent with Dale, be it around the campfire in the backyard or at their special place overlooking the ranch.

Patty was above all else a believer in family. She loved nothing more than a house full of people celebrating whatever occasion was upon them.

Patty was preceded in death by her father, Gene, and is survived by her husband, Dale; sons, Phil and Mike; mother, Melba; siblings: Ric, Debbie, Gerald, Susan, David, and Roy; and grandchildren, Andrew and Rachel.

A celebration of Patty’s life will be held Saturday, February 1, 2014, at 1 p.m., in the Hagadone Event Center at the Coeur d’Alene Golf Resort. Patty never wanted a funeral, and would rather be remembered with a party. The family asks that you dress casual, a Hawaiian or tie-dyed shirt is very appropriate. Instead of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Athol Food Bank, P.O. Box 416, Athol, ID, 83801, or Sight Life www.sightlife.org. Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Patty’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.