Gretchen Patterson

Gretchen Patterson, age 91, of Linn Grove, Iowa died on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at her home in Linn Grove. Public Graveside Services will be held on Monday, June 8, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. at the Barnes Township Cemetery in Linn Grove. Public is welcome but social distancing will be enforced. There will be a memorial service at a later date as well. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Trinity Lutheran Church in Linn Grove, Ingham Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp, or a charity of your choice. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Gretchen Huntoon Dokken Patterson, the daughter of Herman and Dorothy Huntoon Dokken, was born on June 22, 1928 in Des Moines, IA. She was baptized and confirmed by Pastor K.G. Hatten at Trinity Lutheran Church, Linn Grove. Her grade school education was in the Linn Grove Consolidated School and high school at Highview Consolidated School, where she graduated with the class of 1946. She continued her education at St. Olaf College and Morningside College, graduating in 1950. On June 24, 1951, she was united in marriage to Stanley Patterson at Trinity Lutheran. Their marriage was blessed by two children, Kent and Sara. Gretchen’s life was centered on her family, her church, friends, and the staff and students of Cleghorn, Linn Grove, Sioux Valley, and Sioux Central during the 37 years she spent in teaching. She was a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran in Linn Grove, where she was a member of Trinity WELCA. She was also a devoted member of Chapter GJ of P.E.O. Gretchen was the first and greatest supporter of the RebelPack weekend backpack food program for Sioux Central and Albert City-Truesdale schools. Her parents, Herman and Dorothy Dokken, her husband, Stanley, and her sister, Dorothy Ann, preceded her in death. Left to mourn are her beloved children and grandchildren: Kent and Linda Patterson of Linn Grove, IA; Maggie and Jon McInnis of Sioux Falls, SD; Sara, Heidi, and Brock Blanchard of Longwood, FL; great-grandchildren Jaydin, Ava, and Brooklyn Garcia of Longwood, FL; nephew David, Suzanne, Robert, and Rachel Ritterhoff of Ocala, FL; and nieces Sarah Ritterhoff Williams and Danny, Emily, and Allison Williams of Ocala, FL; Beth (Ritterhoff) Noble and Claire and Troy Noble of Ocala, FL; Carla and Rod Yonak of Hanover, MN; Joan Tracy of The Villages, FL; Carolyn French of Wichita, KS, and Jackie and Kit Boyles of Wichita, KS.

Gretchen Patterson

June 22, 1928 - June 3, 2020