Verda Lucile Lucile Patterson's Obituary
Verda Lucile Riggs Patterson, 94, died April 20, 2015, at home in Andover, MN. Lucile was born May 15, 1920, into a wonderful home on a farm in southern Iowa. She was the middle daughter of five born to Glenn and Calla Henderson Riggs. She caught the reading bug from her mother, who often read the classics aloud to her family during the long winter evenings. This sparked a lifelong love of learning that Lucile shared with her daughters, her grandchildren and her students. Lucile graduated from Seymour High School and attended junior college before teaching in rural schools the next two years and saving up money to attend Northeastern Missouri State Teaching College. She had just completed her two-year teaching degree when the love of her life, Lloyd "Pat" Patterson, received his draft notice. They were married on June 15, 1941, in Kirksville, MO. She continued to teach while Pat served as a draftsman in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Both Lucile and Pat enjoyed visiting interesting places, and made friends all over the country in their many moves. While raising their three daughters, Lucile served as club leader, Sunday school teacher and PTA volunteer. She began teaching again, half-time, when her youngest daughter was in junior high before returning to NEMU to complete her bachelor's degree in education. Lucile was initiated into the P.E.O. International in 1954 and belonged to several chapters over her 50 year membership. She was also a member of the United Methodist Women (UMW) and Sunday School superintendent, and was coordinator for the Meals on Wheels for Chisago City. After retiring from teaching in 1979, Lucile and Pat lived in both northern Minnesota and New Mexico before spending their final years in Chisago City, MN. Lucile is survived by her daughters Shirley (Tony) Snyder of Kingman, AZ, Kerry (Jerry) Swanson of Ely, MN, and Barbara (Gary) LeClaire of Coon Rapids, MN; her sisters Leila Niday of Seymour, IA, Irma Hunsinger of Orange, CA, and Mary Cervinka of Columbia, MO; six grandchildren, Cindy Snyder Bjorneberg (Dave) of Hansen, ID, Brian Snyder of Minneapolis, MN, Brad (Tina) Swanson of Blaine, MN, Jason (Shannon) Swanson of Anderson, SC, Christel (Ryan) Bryant of Shakopee, MN, and Brent (Sheena) LeClaire of Coon Rapids, MN; 13 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Ruth E. Patterson of Rock Island, IL; honorary son, Rein (Jane) Howeler of San Mateo, CA and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Pat Patterson; her sister, Eleanor McKeeman and grandson, Phillip Lang. Visitation will be Thursday, April 30, at 9:30 a.m. at Thomas-Randolph Funeral Home in Seymour, IA, with funeral services at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests sending memorials to the Alzheimer's Association or Presbyterian Homes. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Verda Lucile Lucile Patterson please visit our Sympathy Store. Visitation APR 30. 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM (CDT) Thomas-Randolph Funeral Homes 307 W. Wall StSeymour, IA 52590[emailprotected];[emailprotected] Funeral Service APR 30. 11:00 AM (CDT) Thomas-Randolph Funeral Homes 307 W. Wall StSeymour, IA 52590[emailprotected];[emailprotected]
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