Pat Patterson was born on August 28, 1928 in West Port, Kentucky to Earl and Rose (Pierce) Patterson. She died Friday, April 20, 2018 at the Mitchell County Hospital Resident Care Center in Beloit at the age of 89 years.
She grew up in town where her father worked at a factory and later did construction, while her mother was a homemaker. Pat has two brothers, John of California, and James of Missouri. When she was five years old, Pat’s mother was accidentally shot and killed – Pat witnessed this and said that it caused her to grow up fast. Pat’s family then moved to Hammond, Indiana, and it was here that Pat attended school and graduated from the 8th grade. After finishing the 8th grade, Pat left school to work and help her grandparents who were raising her. Pat has worked a variety of jobs over the years including at a defense plant during war time, cooking in restaurants, working in tobacco fields, and doing housekeeping in hotels and also at nursing facilities, including MCH and Hilltop Lodge, where she was also the head of the laundry department.
On February 18, 1948, Pat married Norman Crim – they had met at a dance and dated for two years. Pat and Norman have three children, Annette and Paula (deceased), and Connie. She also has 6 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. Norman and Pat eventually separated and Pat moved to Chicago with the girls to raise them herself. A year after they were separated, Norman was killed in Mankato. Pat has led quite a colorful life filled with many sorrows and hardships. Despite all the hardship, Pat has remained quite resilient and managed to make a life for herself and her girls. Although her girls say that it has not been easy and that there were many hard times, they pulled through and have continued to remain close to each other.
Pat states that she did not really have any hobbies other than watching TV. She worked hard and stayed to herself. She does belong to the Baptist Church, and states that her faith is very important to her and she has seen her through the many difficulties in her life.
Pat has a bit of a stubborn streak, which she says was a necessity through the hard times to keep her going, but she also has a wonderful smile and a great sense of humor and has endeared herself to many of the staff. Having worked at health care facilities herself, Pat understands the hard work and commitment that is required to do the job and tries to be encouraging to the staff. She loves to talk and visit with others and has many a story to tell to those who will listen.
Funeral services will be at 10 AM Wednesday, April 25 at the Scottsville Church followed by burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Mankato. Visitation will be from 1-8 PM with family present from 6-7 PM Tuesday at the Roberts Family Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to Solomon Valley Hospice.
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