Bernice Patterson

Bernice Irene (Gerth) Patterson passed away on April 20, 2009 at Good Samaritan Care Center in Olathe. Burial will be a private service in Lane, Kan. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial contributions to Olathe Medical Center Hospice, Olathe, Kan.

Bernice was born on November 29, 1921, at Lane, Kan. Her parents, Cecil and Velda (Doman) Gerth, preceded her in death. Bernice was a graduate of Lane High School, Lane, Kan. She graduated from Emporia State Teachers College (Emporia State University), Emporia, Kan., with a Teaching Certificate. Following graduation she taught school at Pleasant Valley, Princeton, Wellsville and Bonner Springs, Kan. While teaching at Bonner Springs she frequented a grocery store near the school. There she met Charles R. (Dick) Patterson, Jr. They fell in love, were married in Ottawa, Kans., on May 26, 1946, and shared 62 years together as husband and wife.

Throughout the years Bernice was employed by Bethany Hospital, Kansas City, Kan., Blue Valley School District, Overland Park, Kan. Mast Publications, Overland Park, Kan., Patrons Insurance Company, Olathe, Kan., and Patterson Chevrolet and Oldsmobile, Inc., Ottawa, Kan. Bernice was a beautiful, caring, and supportive wife, mother, sister and friend. She made strangers feel welcome in her home and was a gracious hostess. She loved her family dearly and supported Dick and their children in all of their endeavors, hopes and dreams.

Bernice was a Camp Fire Girl, an accomplished pianist, youth leader, and a loyal and dear friend. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dick. She is survived by her twin sons, Philip and Robert (Ardis) Patterson, Overland Park, Kan., a daughter, Kathleen Sutter, Las Cruces, NM., and her sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Leslie Phillips, Sun City, Az. She was blessed with nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren who she dearly loved.