Patty Dressel

It is with deep sorrow and much love that the family of Patty Dressel announce her passing on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at the age of 68 years.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband Bob of 25 years, children: Jason Craig and wife Heather of Granby, CO, Kirsten Craig, of Durango, CO, grandchildren, Autumn Tucson, along with fiancé Patriot McNight, Jasmine Parks, and James Craig. Sister Pamela Decker of Prescott, AZ, stepmother Alice Decker and half-sister Stephanie Decker, and husband Trey Paulissen and son Tristan, and half-brother Brian Decker and son Chandler, all of Carlsbad, CA. Patty is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and great nieces.

She was preceded in death by granddaughter Fairyn Craig, her brother Dan Craig and both of her parents.

Patty was one of three children born to Kitty Kincaid who married Thomas Decker in Illinois. She graduated from Barington High School and worked for Illinois Bell. 

Patty moved to the Durango area in 1982. Patty held several jobs in the Bayfield area , she worked at the Catbalou liquor store owned by her brother Dan, Virginia’s Steakhouse, with the one and only Virginia, Cowboy Bar, Zebadiah’s, and the Spur Line. She sold real estate and worked at the La Plata County Assessor’s Office. Patty ran for County Assessor and lost, she always said that was the best experience and was glad she lost. She then opened her business Appraisals Southwest, which was a very successful real estate appraisal business that she was very proud of, before her retirement in 2018.

Patty was a generous person and being from the Midwest, she never knew a stranger. She knew everyone in the Bayfield area. She enjoyed being surrounded by her friends and loved to have parties at her home at the lake and in Arizona. She loved listening to live music and oh my goodness if Leftover Salmon was playing somewhere she was there. She was their number one fan.

Travelling with her husband Bob, was her passion. From Greenland to Galapagos to South America, Australia, Machu Picchu, and the Amazon to name a few. We were always amazed at the people we would run into that we knew. She would plan the best adventures for us, and don’t forget the concerts, always one coming up somewhere.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00pm on August 19th at the Vallecito Lake Community Event Center located at 17252 CR Rd 501 Bayfield, CO 81122.

To honor Patty, feel free to wear happy bright colors, or festival clothes.

Interment will be August 20 at the Pine River Cemetery at 1:00 pm, located on CR 501, Bayfield. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to your favorite dog charity in Patty’s memory.

 After the Celebration, a potluck meal will follow. Please bring drinks of your choice to toast Patty.