Patricia Crisler

Patricia Crisler (Patti Dixon)

My beautiful, kind mother, Patti (Dixon) Crisler was born in Astoria, OR and lived the first two years of her life in nearby Warrenton. Her family migrated down the coastline to Toledo, OR where her best friend and little sister, Shari, was born. Mom was an athlete, a cheerleader, and a local beauty pageant queen. She graduated from Toledo High School in 1959 and was the first in her family to attend college, attending OSU in Corvallis and then Linfield College in McMinnville where she graduated in 1964 with a degree in Business. She later received her Masters in Education at Portland State University.

My parents first date was on April Fools' Day 1960 – a double date orchestrated by two of their closest friends, Wayne Braxling and Jerolea Hart. My dad's (Allan Crisler) irresistible charm won Mom's heart and their mutual respect and affection made them inseparable. They married on August 8, 1964 in the Methodist Church in Toledo, just down the street from Mom's childhood home. From there, they headed to Portland where my Dad worked at the Portland Chamber of Commerce. Mom earned her Masters in Education at PSU and landed her first teaching job at Cleveland High School. They enjoyed the bustling city life for a few years, until in 1968, Dad was hired as the Executive Director at the Bend Chamber of Commerce and they moved to Bend, a small town of around 10,000 residents.

In their early years in Bend, Mom was active in civic activities. She volunteered and coordinated community events, joined a local women's group, and was hired at Central Oregon Community College (COCC) to assist with continuing education classes. I was born in July of 1976 and Mom stayed home through my elementary school years, curating a magical and charmed childhood for me. As an only child, Mom was my best friend. She was creative, crafty and baked great cookies. She loved music and dance and Jazzercised her way through the 80s (and again during retirement). My mom was hired as a business teacher at Bend High in the late 80s when I was in middle school. She was a kind, patient and inclusive teacher who students didn't want to disappoint. She primarily taught typing and accounting classes.

Maybe due to their humble beginnings and their inherently generous natures, my parents had a quiet way of taking care of their community and each other. They were safe space and found intentional ways to offer support when opportunities arose. My mom was solid ground: humble and warm. She could gently realign my Dad with her timely humor when his chattiness went off course. My dad opened doors with his positive energy and friendly demeanor. They were well matched, married for 61 years, and loved each other to the end. Witnessing and receiving their love was an honor. I was their greatest project. I am filled with gratitude for each moment we spent together. The last season of their lives was uncomfortable and challenging, and also filled with lessons, reflections and growth. Gratitudes to my family and the angels who have walked with me, held my hand, and continue to guide me through this time in life.

Patricia (Dixon) Crisler was born on September 25, 1941 in Astoria, OR and crossed over September 20, 2025 at Touchmark at Mt. Bachelor Village in Bend, OR. She is preceded in death by her husband, Allan Crisler (Bend, OR), her parents, Edna (Gluth) and Robert Dixon (Toledo & Corvallis, OR) and her younger sister, Shari (Dixon) Maksud (Corvallis, OR) and nephew, Thaddeus O'Brien. She is survived by her grandson, Taran Davis (Bend, OR), her daughter, Casey (Crisler) Davis and son-in-law, Spencer Davis (Bend, OR), and niece, Deon (O'Brien) Merten (Corvallis, OR).

A Remembrance Ceremony will be held Friday, Nov. 7th at 2pm at Aspen Hall in Shevlin Park (Bend, OR) for friends and family. In lieu of gifts and flowers, please share a story about Allan and Patti. Stories can be sent to: pandacrisler@gmail.com. Letters can be sent to: Casey (Crisler) Davis c/o Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home, 105 NW Irving Ave, Bend, OR 97703. Tax deductible donations can be made by mail to: Partners in Care, Attn: Development, 2075 NE Wyatt Ct., Bend, OR 97701 or online at partnersbend.com/donate.