G. Dean Patterson

Memorial Services for Dean Patterson will be held on Monday, March 24, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church at Holdrege, Nebraska with Reverend Jeff Adams officiating. Private family inurnment will be held at the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege prior to the memorial service.

Gilbert "Dean" Patterson, 90 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2014 at the Christian Homes Care Community at Holdrege.

Dean was born September 7, 1923 on the family farm south of Atlanta, Nebraska, the only child born to Gilbert William and Nora (Nylander) Patterson. He received his education from Atlanta Public School, graduating from Atlanta High School with the class of 1941. Dean then attended Kearney State College for a time and then returned to the family farm. On January 12, 1946, he was inducted into the United States Air Force.

On May 12, 1946, Dean was united in marriage to Eleanor Myrene Dunn and to this union two children were born: Darlene Kay and Lyle Dean. Following Dean's discharge of the service on April 3, 1947, the couple made their home on the farm southwest of Atlanta, where they engaged in farming. Dean also sold insurance for Metropolitan Life. In June of 1972 Dean and Eleanor moved into Holdrege. Dean continued to farm with his son, Lyle and in later years sold crop insurance. The couple celebrated their 45 ^th Wedding Anniversary in 1991. On April 27, 1992, he was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor.

He was active in Kiwanis for many years and an active member of the Holdrege First United Methodist Church.

On September 12, 1993 he was united in marriage to Eileen Marie Covey. The couple enjoyed visiting their children, grandchildren, and Sunday dinners in Kearney. Eileen preceded him in death on July 22, 2006.

Dean was very interested in the latest electronic gadgets and always had the newest phone or computer. He enjoyed reading and keeping informed on the latest news. He had subscriptions to the Holdrege Daily Citizen, Kearney Hub, and the Omaha World Herald. Dean also enjoyed watching Lawrence Welk on TV every week. He loved spending time on the farm south of Atlanta and being with his family. He especially enjoyed his grandsons and great-grandchildren. He was a lover of animals and spent time with his little dogs, Tuffy and Tiny, and recently his new cat, Jacoby. Dean was a gentleman at all times and always put others before himself. He enjoyed eating breakfast many mornings at the Cozy Inn and driving to Kearney several times a week to eat at USA Steak or Grandpa's Steak House.

Celebrating Dean's life are his daughter, Darlene Schaap and her husband, Ron of Omaha; son, Lyle Patterson and his wife, Dotty Jo of Holdrege; four grandsons: Saun Patterson and his wife, Sheila of Holdrege, Steve Schaap and his wife, Catherine of Nottingham, England, Shane Patterson and his wife, Elizabeth of Bertrand, Nebraska, and Brad Schaap and his wife, Amy of Omaha; 12 great-grandchildren: Morgan, Taylor, Taryn, and Meghan Patterson of Holdrege, Amanda, Karley, Landon, and Caleb Patterson of Bertrand, Ethan, Emerson, Emilia, and Charlotte Schaap of Omaha; Eileen's family, daughter, Connie Miller and her husband, Ron and their family of Kansas City and son-in-law, Leland Bach and his family of Woodruff, Kansas; sisters-in-law: Maxine Gwinner of Holdrege and Jewel Dunn of Corpus Christi, Texas; niece, Diane Hammond and her husband, Kenny and family of Houston, Texas and nephew, Ken Dunn and his wife, Debbie and family of Corpus Christi, Texas; as well as many friends.

Besides his parents, and his wives: Eleanor and Eileen he was preceded in death by Eileen's daughter, Karen Bach, and three brothers-in-law: Leslie Dunn, Fred Gwinner, and Ronald Weldon.

There will be no visitation, the family is honoring Dean's wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in Dean's honor and kindly suggested to Holdrege Animal Shelter or the donor's choice.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.