| Notes |
- Mail Tribune
August 15, 2008
Eileen Patterson left this earthly home on August 9, 2008, in the presence of her family at Pioneer Village in Jacksonville, Ore. Eileen was born on Jan. 6, 1922, in the small community of Felt, Idaho, lying in the shadow of the Grand Tetons. She was the second eldest of five children given to Hyrum and Annie Lorraine Bernston, a pioneering family who moved to Oregon in 1938.
She graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1939 along with her older brother Eddie. Very early in life Eileen demonstrated the strong leadership qualities of her mother's Scottish "Dunbar" Clan. She was a resourceful young woman who struggled as a single mother to provide for herself and young daughter in the years immediately following World War II. She accomplished this by creating a childcare facility named the "Kiddy Keep" in Jacksonville.
In December 1949 she married Ford "Pat" Patterson.
Her interests followed that of her mother Lorraine, devoting much of her life to children's Bible study ministries through Child Evangelism Fellowship. Eileen and Pat were known for their work with young people, generously opening their ranch and home in Rogue River for Bible study, swimming, Jeep rides and various activities. They also made multiple mission trips to the Philippines to sponsor local ministries.
Early activities found Eileen as Chairwoman of Christian Women's Club in Grants Pass, and continued involvement as director and teacher of Child Evangelism Fellowship in Jackson and Josephine counties. Eileen was tireless in her efforts to bring Bible instruction to the schoolchildren she loved. She taught many separate Bible classes throughout the years, including a ladies support group, which continued to meet with her at Pioneer Village.
Eileen was preceded in death by her husband, Pat, who passed away in 1999. Her brother, Eddie, passed in 1999 and sister, Holly, in 2005, along with an infant brother in her childhood.
She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Lynn and Della Berntson, of Jacksonville; and brother-in-law, Fred Buehling, of Salem.
She leaves daughter, Karen, and son-in-law, Terry Gail, of Klamath Falls, daughter, Teresa, and son-in-law Bill Wilhelmi of Tigard, son Dennis and daughter-in-law, SaiLee Patterson, of Eagle Point, and stepson, John, and wife, Shirley Patterson, who reside in Aurora, Colo. Her nine grandchildren include, Kristin Hanson, Amy Laursen, Jered Gail, Annie Crawford, Abby Brownell, Hilary Hillis, Patrick Patterson, Katie Patterson, and Lisa Bristol. She also had 13 living great-grandchildren at the time of her death.
|
1922 - 2008 (86 years)
[1] 
