Patrick Halphen Obituary

Former Durango resident Patrick R. Halphen died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011, at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Karla Halphen, in La Plata, N.M. He was 88.

Known as "Pat," he was born to Ishmael and Carmen (Durand) Halphen on Dec. 8, 1922, in St. Martinville, La. He was one of seven children.

Mr. Halphen served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and was stationed in North Dakota and England. While in North Dakota, he met his future wife, Ruth Irene Keller.

The couple married in North Dakota in 1947. The marriage later ended in divorce.

After returning to Louisiana, the Halphens moved to Durango in the late 1940s, and Mr. Halphen owned and operated the Rainbow Bread franchise for more than 30 years until retiring in 1984.

On July 18, 1970, he married Rose Brown in Durango.

Mr. and Mrs. Halphen were active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4031 and Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks Lodge No. 507.

"He enjoyed fishing, but he most loved socializing with his friends at the VFW and Elks Lodge," his daughter-in-law Karla Halphen said. "He had tons of friends."

In 2002, Mr. Halphen moved to La Plata to be closer to his children and grandchildren.

Mr. Halphen was preceded in death by his wife of 21 years, Rose Halphen.

He is survived by his children, Patricia Goncz and Tim Halphen, both of La Plata, and Rene Halphen of Farmington; stepdaughters Marsha Savage and Sheila Hester, both of Burns Flat, Okla.; 10 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 414 N. Allen Ave., in Farmington. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, also at Sacred Heart. Burial will take place at Memory Gardens in Farmington immediately after the Mass.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Northwest New Mexico Hospice, 608 Reilly Ave., Farmington, NM 87401.