Iowa State Teachers College, (University of Northern Iowa), she taught at Emerson Hough Elementary School in Newton before moving to Fort Dodge in 1955 where she taught at Lincoln Elementary School until 1959. On August 15, 1958, she was united in marriage to Clayton Chalstrom in Newton. The couple established their home in Fort Dodge where Pat spent countless hours as a volunteer for various organizations including over 30 years for the Trinity Regional Medical Auxiliary. Memorials may be left to Trinity Regional Medical Auxiliary and First United Methodist Church.