Geneva Florence Patterson
August 3, 1918 - October 29, 2021
Visitation
- Date: November 1, 2021
- Time: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Schroeder Funeral Homes - Northwood, Iowa
Funeral Service
- Date: November 2, 2021
- Time: 10:30 a.m.
- Location: Northwood United Methodist Church - Northwood, Iowa
Burial
- Location: Sunset Rest Cemetery - Northwood, Iowa
Geneva Florence (Brazel) Patterson, 103, passed away October 29, 2021, at the Manly Care Center. She was born on August 3, 1918, in Albert Lea, MN to John and Elfreda (Boldman) Brazel. Geneva was one of eight children, growing up on a farm in rural Northwood. She attended school in Northwood, graduating in 1936. After graduation, Geneva worked as a teacher for three years at Deer Creek #6, a one room schoolhouse. On May 4, 1939, Geneva was united in marriage to Robert Patterson at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. Together they had five sons: Harvey, Howard, Larry, Clair, and Richard. Their family moved to their home on 8th St in Northwood in 1954, wanting to be close to their Pat's Super Service gas station. Geneva and her sons stayed living in Northwood, all devoted members of the community. Geneva worked for more than twenty years as a cashier at Fallgatter's Market. She was a woman of great faith, an active member of the United Methodist Church, and taught Sunday school for many years. If you stopped to pay Geneva a visit, you'd often find her tending to her garden or enjoying the birds on her back steps. She welcomed everyone to her dining table, offering treats and vegetables fresh from her garden. Geneva enjoyed dancing with her husband in her younger years, reading, poetry, and spending time with her family. Many holidays were hosted in Geneva's home, including New Year's tenderloins and her "famous" punch. Geneva's potato salad was known far and wide for being the best around, and she never hesitated to make a batch for a family celebration. Riding in Northwood's July 4th parade was a family tradition, and in 2019 Geneva was honored as the Grand Marshall. She would often let her family and friends know how special they were by sending them handwritten notes and greeting cards, adorned with her beautiful penmanship. Geneva is survived by her: sons, Harvey (Evy) Patterson, and Richard Patterson; daughters-in-law, Barb Patterson, and Becky (Dick) Holstad; grandchildren, Dan (Peggy) Patterson, Deb (Mark) Stratmann, Todd (Dana) Patterson, Robert True, and Tammy Patterson, MariAnn (Tim) Kroneman, JoAnn (Travis) Elbrecht, John (Jennifer) Patterson, Michael (Lisa) Patterson, Janna (Chad) Arndt, Darci (Donovan) Stumo, Robyn (Gordon) Wilder, Valerie (Ross) Gaetzke; great-grandchildren Jamie (Skye), Robert (Lisa), Heather (Tony), Kristen (Brad), Danielle (Jake), Zachary (Bailey), Thomas (Shelby), Kaitlyn (Matt), Tony, Tori, Jessie, Nicole, Eva, Dawson, Joella, Ethan, Paige, Blake, Sydney, Austin, Natalie, Cade, Jackson, Alexis, Brooklyn, Brianna (Colin), Derek (Denae), Jake, Nathan, Drew, Peyton, and Briar; many great-great-grandchildren and her sister, Beatrice Brockett. Preceded in death by her: parents, John and Elfreda (Boldman) Brazel; husband, Robert Patterson; sons, Howard, Larry, and Clair Patterson; grandchildren Bridget True, Scott Patterson; great-grandchildren, Nathan and Dustin Wagner; daughters-in-law, Lois Patterson and Carol Patterson; siblings, Opal (Harry) Everhart, Margaret Brazel, Doris Brazel, Gladys (Bardelt) Broers, Kenneth Brazel, Virgil Brazel and Rex Brockett. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at Northwood United Methodist Church with Pastor Robert Lanphere officiating. Visitation will be held Monday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, Northwood. Burial will take place at Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood.
