Alice M. Patterson, of Holton,  passed away in her home, 2 days after her April 28, 2019 birthday, with loving family around her, complications from Lymphoma.

The oldest of 3 children born to H.C. & Martha Poos at Lancaster, Ks. She attended grade school in Lancaster.

Alice received her teaching certificate, called “Normal Training” her Senior year of high school, thus becoming a teacher. She also received her school letter “A” in band playing the clarinet.

After graduating from Atchison County Community High School in Effingham, Ks, she taught at a 1 room school at South Creek in Atchison County and at Walnut Creek in Jackson County.  Teaching 12 students in 8 grades in a 1 room school house.

She met the love of her life her freshman year in high school, Joe W. Patterson. They married on December 25, 1942, they celebrated 70 years together. They lived in the Whiting community then moved to Netawaka, farming for over 60 years. They moved to Holton after retirement in 1999.

Her greatest pleasures in her life was her family, joys of gardening, flowers, cooking/canning, sewing, especially quilt tops, and farming. She enjoyed sharing her knowledge with family and her family members each receiving at least 1 hand made quilt from her, many as wedding gifts, and all of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren received a baby quilt. A great cook, her pies and homemade bread were always a wonderful treat! Cooking 3 meals every day, always from the farm or garden fresh. The summer busy time included hired hands to feed as well. To share home-made gifts was a treat for her, and she loved to share her knowledge to those interested.

She helped care for several family members, believing in the natural way of healing when possible. Her father being a veterinarian she knew a lot of both people and animal needs.

She and Joe did most home repairs and purchasing a few houses for rentals, doing what needed to be done, no matter if it was carpentry, wall papering, painting, plumbing or concrete work she knew how. She and Joe worked side by side repairing, fixing, or farming.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, and 4 Seasons Garden Club. She helped with 4-H not only as director, but for many years helped with the open class flowers. She inherited her mother and grandmother’s love of flowers. At the age of 80 she purchased a computer. Having never had taken typing in school, she learned how to use it and was amazed at the modern technology; and enjoyed keeping in touch with family and friends from other states. A great invention from the 1 room school house.

To this union 5 children were born. She is survived by: Nancy Bower (Don), Linda Wenger, Steve Patterson (Donna) and Sherry Burns (Rick). 14 grandchildren, Tammy Caffrey (Mark), Donna Lehman (Daniel), Marsene Feldt (Nate), Charlene Moran (Richard), Scott Fund, Joe Fund (Andrea), Jennifer Dennon (David), Jannelle Welliver (Rick), Katie Ingels (Kyle), Casey Patterson (Kisha), Lyndee Stabel (Taylor), Annie Shanholtzer (Abe), Dean Burns (Ashley), Robyn Jones (Jason); 32 great-grandchildren (1 more this year), Shannon Caffrey, Emily Lehman, Megan Lehman, Maverick Feldt, Atticus Feldt, Allyson Shugart (Aaron), Trent Moran, Grace Moran, Blake Fund, Ethan Fund, Cody Fund, Ashten Jackson (Josh), Colton Fund, Samantha Dennon, Josh Wenger (Alysha), Jessica Swart (Isaac), Bryce Denton, Taylor Welliver, Kolden Ingels, Kallan Ingels, Rowan Patterson, Dawson Patterson, Lakin Patterson, Taylee Stabel, Tia Stabel, Afton Shanholtzer, Reece Burns, Addyson Schumaker, Comyn Schumaker, Corey Jones, Dalton Jones, Devon Jones and 4 great-great-grandchildren (2 more due this year), Easton Shughart, Ava Jackson, Liam Jackson and Norah Wenger. She has 1 sister, Cara Triplett.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe Patterson on August 4, 2013; daughter, Marsha Abarr on June 27, 2016; grandson, William Fund on October 10, 1963 and brother, Alan Poos on November 27, 2012.

Funeral Service will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 5, 2019 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will follow in the Holton Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 4:30 – 7:00 p.m. Saturday evening at the funeral home.  Memorials may be given to the Beck-Bookman Library, First United Methodist Church or Holton Community Hospital Hospice c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.