Patricia Chase

Patricia Alexander Chase, educator and long-time resident of American Falls, passed away January 27, 2026, at the age of 81.

Pat was born on June 15, 1944, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to Ward and Harriet Frederiksen Alexander. She was a proud descendant of Idaho pioneer families who were among the earliest settlers of Lewiston, Leland, and Kilgore.

Her family settled in American Falls in 1952 when her father became principal of the local elementary school.

Pat graduated from American Falls High School in 1962.

In 1966, she graduated with a degree in English from the University of Idaho, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Pat loved the U of I and proudly served on the National Board of Directors of its Alumni Association.

Following graduation, she moved to Boise and taught English at Capital High School from 1967 to 1971.

She married Larry Chase in 1968 and later took a sabbatical from her teaching career to raise her children.

Following her divorce, Pat accepted a position at American Falls High School, where she taught English and Reading for 25 years. Her accomplishments included being recognized as the runner-up “Teacher of the Year” for the State of Idaho in 2001.

She loved living in American Falls and was active in many organizations, including P.E.O., League of Women Voters, the Board of Trustees of Harms Memorial Hospital District, and St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Her hobbies included reading, reading, and more reading, watching Duke basketball, and correcting the grammar of newspaper writers and her children.

Pat is survived by her children, Ben (Colleen) Chase of New York, and Jeremy Chase of Boise, grandchildren, Ellena Chase, Ailie Chase, Paddy Chase, and Beckett Chase, siblings Mary (John) Graham and brother Joe (Leslie) Alexander, both of Idaho Falls, a host of nieces and nephews, and best friend Pat Pierose of Boise.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Paul Alexander.

Pat once wrote “I teach because I love it. I am passionate about my subject, English; I am passionate about the potential for doing good in the world that teaching brings.”

Mom, your love and passion for education accomplished far more good for your children, students, and the community of American Falls than you ever knew.

Thank you to her many friends and caregivers, including the health aides at Morningstar of Idaho Falls and Daniel, her hospice nurse.

A visitation will be from 5:00-6:30 p.m. on Friday, February 6 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in American Falls. Another visitation will be on Saturday, February 7 from 10:00-10:45 a.m. The funeral will follow beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Interment will be at Falls View Cemetery on a later date.

Memorials may be made to the William K. Frederiksen Memorial ICA Scholarship at the University of Idaho or a charity of one’s choice.

Family and friends are invited to visit DavisRoseMortuary.com to order flowers, or to share condolences, memories, and photos.