Grace Patterson

Grace Patterson, 94, Wahpeton, ND passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2014 at CHI St. Francis Health, Breckenridge, MN. Funeral services will be on Tuesday at 2:00 PM at Bethel Lutheran Church, Wahpeton with Rev. Jim Gustafson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery, Wahpeton. Arrangements are entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton.

Grace was born on January 31, 1920 in Lisbon, ND to George and Inga (Engen) Faller. She grew up and attended school in Lisbon and graduated from Lisbon High School in 1937. She then attended NDSSS for Business. While attending college she met Gordon "Pat" Patterson and they were united in marriage during Christmas vacation on December 28, 1940.

Grace enjoyed being a housewife during her years that her children were in school. She was both a Boy Scout and Girl Scout Leader. She was also a member of the NDSSS Faculty Wives and member of the board and President of the NDSSS Alumni Association. She was also Mother Advisor and Board Member for Rainbow Girls.

In 1960, Grace began working as the Secretary for Bethel Lutheran Church. Then in 1968 she began working as a secretary for Reeder Insurance Agency at Norwest Bank. She eventually went back to school to get her insurance license and became an agent for Norwest Insurance Agency. She retired in 1984 as an assistant manager for the agency. During her retirement, Grace enjoyed the times spent with Pat and their family at their lake home on Ottertail Lake.

Grace was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church. In 1946, she became a member of the Wahpeton Eastern Star where she was Worthy Matron in 1954 and Worthy Grand Matron of the ND Eastern Star in 1966. She attended four National Eastern Star Conferences and was installed as a member of the Knight Templar Eye Foundation. In 1959, she became a member of the Wahpeton Chapter J PEO and served as president in 1970. Grace also did wonderful crochet work, making twelve dinner tablecloths for family and friends. She also loved playing bridge and was involved in many bridge groups.

Grace is survived by her children, Roger (Linda) Patterson, Wahpeton, ND, Susan (Bill) Boutwell, Ogema, MN, Linda Patterson, Brooklyn Park, MN, Debra (Bob) White, Bismarck, ND; her five grandchildren, Bill (Jane) Boutwell, Mike (Ann) Boutwell, Shelly (Brian) Gerlach, Brittany White and Matthew White; and six great grandchildren.

She was preceded by her parents, her husband, Gordon "Pat" on July 8, 2012, her great granddaughter, Kayla Boutwell, her brother, Ralph Faller, and her sister, Dorothy Roeske.

Memorials are preferred to the Anne Carlsen Center, Jamestown, ND.