Patricia Akers, 65

After a courageous five-year battle with cancer, our beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Pat Akers passed away on March 9, 2016.

Pat was born in Rosalia, Wash., to Howard and Jessie Arlt. She attended elementary school in Rosalia, Wash., and Plummer, Idaho, and graduated from Worley High School in 1969. She married her high school sweetheart, Gale, and they enjoyed a truly loving marriage for 46 years. Pat helped Gale operate their business Akers Logging for 40 years. Pat faithfully built Gale a delicious lunch every morning often in the wee hours of the morning even though it was her least favorite homemaking duty!

Pat enjoyed life in the country, spending time with family, traveling the world to enjoy a little warm weather, caring for her horses, and of course George Strait!

We believe a more caring wife, mother, grandmother and friend did not exist, and we will miss her terribly. Her positive attitude and warrior spirit during her cancer battle will be an inspiration to us all.

She is survived by her husband, Gale; daughter Kelly Hicks (Steve) of Rockford, Wash.; son Michael (Jason) of Snoqualmie, Wash.; and her most favorite kiddos in the world, granddaughter Ryan (age 14) and grandson Reed (age 11); parents Howard and Jessie Arlt; sisters Bev (John) Buckmeier, Linda Arlt and Nancy (Wade) Fehlman; brother Jeff (Cindy) Arlt; and numerous niece, nephews and cousins.

We would like to thank Dr. Kaya; his nurse, Aida; the staff at Cancer Care NW; as well as the nurses on the seventh floor oncology ward at Sacred Heart. Your care and love for Pat was truly amazing, and we thank you for helping mom fight.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 17, 2016, at Templins Red Lion in Post Falls, Idaho.

Please bring a favorite story of Pat to share.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Pat’s name can be made to the Kootenai Human Society or The American Cancer Society.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Pat’s online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.