Obituary of Lillian Patterson

Lillian Luella Patterson passed gently from this life on Sunday, October 16, at the age of 97. She died as she lived, surrounded by her family and friends. Mother, grandmother, friend, and caretaker, Lillian's last days were bathed in music, laughter, and love. Lillian lived through most of the defining events of the 20th century. She was born in Wendell, Idaho on July 28, 1914 - the day World War I began - joining parents Ora and Martha Elizabeth Anderson Patterson, as well as siblings Roy, Rose, Royce, Barbara, Stella, Billy and George. Her brother Laddie would later complete the family. Lillian and her family struggled through the Great Depression, she contributed to the war effort during World War II, and she saw a son come home from Vietnam. She was a farm girl, a city girl, and everything in between. Lillian was living in a tiny cluster of houses near Fairfield, Idaho, when she first met Elmer B. "Pat" Patterson. A moonlight fishing trip, and Fourth of July dance, and a ten-year friendship led to their wedding in Lovelock, Nevada, on November 9, 1945. Lillian and Pat were married for more than 52 years and had three children, Steve, Elizabeth, and Douglas. "We never did stop loving each other all through the years," Lillian remembered, "he's the only man I ever did love." On a rainy day in February 1962, Lillian went for a drive through the farmland surrounding Kuna, Idaho, and fell in love with a stately old home on an old orchard. She bought it on the spot, making it the home her children and grandchildren would forever call "our happy place." Lillian is survived by her two youngest children, Elizabeth and Douglas, her son-in-law Joseba, her daughter-in-law Connie, and her grandchildren, Ryan, Sara, Steve, Mikel, Daniel and David. Graveside services will be Wednesday, October 19th at 2:00 p.m. at the Kuna Memorial Cemetery where Lillian will be laid to rest between her husband and her oldest son. Arrangements are under the direction of Summers Funeral Homes, Boise Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her name to the Idaho Humane Society.