Patsy Laverne Eighme

Patsy (Pat) LaVerne Eighme, 87, of Okanogan passed away on January 30, 2025, with family close by. She was born on May 13, 1937 to Spud and Irene (Baker) Cunningham in Okanogan at the home of Mrs. Kane, a midwife. She was named after Patsy Cline, the country western singer. She spent her happy childhood attending 1st and 2nd grade in Okanogan, 3rd and 4th grades in Riverside, and 5th -12th grades in Omak, where she graduated in 1955. Growing up she wanted to be an Omak Stampede Queen. In 1955 she achieved that dream with Princesses Louella Lamb and Marjorie Morris. Her first job after high school was as a telephone switchboard operator.
Then in 1957 she married David Eighme, and they bought a farm south of Okanogan where they raised three children with a special neighboring family, Pib and Betty Morris, and their children who have become lifelong friends. She was involved in Boots & Saddles Club, Ghost Riders Club, 4-H Club, and one of the founders of the Okanogan Jr, Rodeo. She was a member of the Okanogan Eagles and Mt. Olive Grange.
Pat worked as a clerk at the Okanogan and Tonasket Livestock markets and for the USDA Brand Department as a part-time brand inspector. She also worked for the Okanogan County Extension office and as a bookkeeper for Okanogan Truck & Tractor where she later retired.
Some of Pat's favorite times were horseback rides with her dad; eating onion sandwiches for lunch with her mom on Thursdays (her dad gone to a livestock sale); taking her children, their 4-H club, and grandsons on horse packing trips to the Horseshoe Basin; and watching her children in jr. rodeo and high school rodeo events. She was an avid fan watching grandsons and great grandsons at all their sporting events. She also enjoyed her numerous outings with her lady friends for road trips, scenic drives and dining out. Some of her favorite travels were attending the National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas 10 times with various family and friends and vacationing in Europe with daughter Candi and girlfriends Bonnie and Marion. A very special experience was this last August when she rode in a convertible in the Omak Stampede 90th Anniversary grand parade as the oldest living Omak Stampede queen with her son driving and daughters riding along and later at the royalty luncheon received a standing ovation and flower bouquet.
Pat was a loving mother, sister and aunt and a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. Surviving to cherish her memory are her children Connie (Ed), Candi, and Butch; brother Wade Cunningham; sister Carol (Butch) Mitchell; 2 grandsons; 6 great grandchildren with another coming soon; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A life celebration will be held February 16, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the Okanogan Eagles. Memorials suggested are to the Okanogan Eagles or your favorite charity in lieu of flowers. The ones we love are never gone, they live in our hearts.