Patricia Stangebye Kailer Patricia Stangebye Kailer, beloved

Patricia Stangebye Kailer Patricia Stangebye Kailer, beloved daughter, niece, aunt, mother, and grandmother, passed away on November 10, 2025, at the age of 100. Pat was born in New England, North Dakota to Dr. Thorlief Ludwig and Ruth Jones Stangebye. The family later moved to Mott, N. D., where Pat graduated from Lincoln High School and went on to the University of North Dakota. After 2 yrs. there, she transferred to the University of Missouri to major in journalism. There she met her future husband, J.D. Kailer, a returning G.I., and the two graduated with Bachelor degrees in Journalism in 1947. An MU college classmate in Roswell, N.M. offered them jobs on the Roswell Dispatch, where J.D. became editor, and Pat the sole reporter. The couple moved to Albuquerque in 1949. J.D. became sports editor of the Albuquerque Journal, and Pat raised their three children. She was active in her church and The Albuquerque Little Theater, where she eventually handled a publicity job for 6 years. In 1965, Pat joined The Albuquerque Journal as the original Miss Action Line, a popular question/answer column. After 6 years, she moved to the Trends section, where she was a feature writer for 25 years, winning a couple of first and second places in the Albuquerque Press Association competition. Her long-time editor and colleague, Susan Stiger noted Pat's wide range of topics included abortion and adoption, birds and bees, chickens and charities, dreams and dry cleaners, homing pigeons and llamas, flirting, office politics, teens and seniors, long marriages, divorce and stepparenting, grandparenting, early babies, late babies, social ills, rape, diseases, and support groups ad infinitum. She enjoyed interviewing Phyllis Diller and Barbara Bush, and became fast friends with Ann Landers (Dear Abby). A special feature appeared when new neighbors turned out to be one of the first Afghan families arriving in Albuquerque, after fleeing their home country, following a Russia takeover. Growing up, Pat was a natural tomboy favoring a boy's bob, bowties, and coveralls. All this vanished when Shirley Temple appeared on the silver screen, and Pat converted easily to curls and tap dancing. Later, she enjoyed golf, swimming, and played second base/shortstop on the college softball team. Pat was responsive, supportive, and interested in most things under the sun. She was a voracious reader, regularly attempted the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle, delighted in new words, and enjoyed bridge, and bridge mix. She was a Bible Study Fellowship group leader and a member of Hope Church, where she served as a deacon and hospitality chairwoman. Pat had a large, extended family and got together with them regularly, including get-togethers at a Minnesota lake and gulf side cottages in Florida. She was fortunate to travel with her Roswell brother and his wife, Dr. Thor and Karen Stangebye, to Paris, Norway, and North Wales, where they visited relatives. Pat's sister, Sandy, joined them for annual treks to Mexico. Pat covered the Friendship Force exchange trip to Seoul, Korea with 400 other Albuquerqueans, while 400 Koreans came here. After Parkinson's Disease struck, she became a regular at the Rock Steady Boxing sessions, held for patients with Parkinson's Disease. Pat's husband and her sisters Peg Stangebye and Sandra Hannis and husband Hank, and her brother Dr. Thorlief L. Stangebye, a long-time Roswell physician, and wife Karen, preceded her in death. She is survived by her three children, David Kailer and Ann Eversole of Albuquerque, and John and his wife Debby Kailer of Pittsburgh, as well as her six grandchildren, Jamie, Kelly, Elyse, Justin (Alexandria), Kristen, Katrina, and three great grandchildren, Jesse, Abbi, and Jonny. She was very close to her nieces and nephews and their families. Pat leaves a rich legacy. She was friendly, supportive, enthusiastic, and thoughtful, with a keen, mischievous sense of humor, and was always open to new people, places, and ideas. Contributions in her name may be made to the Parkinson's Association and Rock Steady Boxing. Pat's family is grateful to her extended family, friends, neighbors, Home Instead, For Your Care, Hope Church, and Rock Steady Boxing, Pat will be buried next to her husband, J.D., in a family service at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. A memorial service will follow in early 2026.