Patrick DALEN

Patrick loved family more than anything else. He enjoyed tracing the roots of his family through geneology, His aunts, uncles and cousins were very important to him. He had saved every card, letter and photo that his family had sent him since he left home. He especially loved being an uncle to his beautiful nieces, Abigail and Ainsley, and spending quiet times visiting with his brother, of whom he was so proud, and with his Grandmothers about old times and new. As a child, his happiest days were weekends spent at his grandparents' homes, and he especially loved the freedom to roam about his Grandma and Grandpa Dalen's farm. He also had friends around the country, from high school, college and law school. Even as a child, Patrick impressed people with his quiet and reflective nature. His favorite elementary teacher once remarked that when she looked into Patrick's eyes, she saw a little boy with an old, old soul. Patrick also loved the art and science of cooking, and had collected recipes from family members and friends. He had volunteered to be the de facto chef for families of others making holiday meal deliveries this past year. Nature and traveling were favorite pastimes for Patrick. He and his father spent a wonderful vacation at Yellowstone National Park last summer enjoying the wildlife, the beauty of nature and each other's company. He and his mom were planning a trip to Chicago to see the sights and visit the Natural History Museum there when his professional life was more settled. As an attorney, Patrick championed the rights of the most vulnerable, first as a Legal Aid attorney and more recently as a private, court-appointed defender for those who could not afford an attorney of their own. He loved the law and had worked tirelessly to establish his own practice. He had studied Spanish in Mexico to better serve clients who faced language barriers within the judicial system. Patrick also suffered from the illness of clinical depression. Although he battled it bravely, and mostly in secret, he lost his battle on Saturday, July 14th, 2007, when he entered into eternal rest and healing with his Heavenly Father. Patrick will continue to live in the hearts and memories of those who loved him and lost him far too soon. Left to cherish Patricks memory are his mom and dad, Jane and Jim Dalen of Bellevue, Nebraska; his brother, Paul Dalen, (currently serving in Iraq) and his wife, Kimberley of Fort Riley, Kansas; his beloved nieces, Abby and Ainsley; grandmothers, Fern Dalen of Britt, Iowa and Dorothy Loftis of Bellevue; aunts and uncles, Kathy and Ben Butler of Fergus Falls, Minnesota; Rick and Kathy Dalen of Estherville; Maureen and Duane Sandberg of Graettinger; Duane and Pat Dalen of Oreana, Illinois; Darryl and Patricia Dalen of Andover, Minnesota; Ruth and Todd Thill of Britt; many cousins and friends; four great-aunts and one great-uncle. Preceding Partick in death were his grandfathers.