Eileen Elizabeth Patterson Sept. 24, 1928 - Oct. 30, 2021

Eileen Elizabeth Patterson, age 93, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021.

Eileen was born on Sept. 24, 1928 in Zion, Illinois, the daughter of C. Theodore and Bertha (Potter) Tollefsen. She graduated from Zion High School in 1946. A year later she went off to Northwestern Bible School in Minneapolis, Minnesota where she met and subsequently married James (Jim) Patterson. They were married in Zion on July 29, 1949. They both graduated with diplomas in Bible Studies the following year and then moved back to Fifield, when Jim took over the family farm.

In 1965 they were called into the ministry and accepted into Hiawatha Baptist Missions, now Continental Baptist Missions. They ministered in churches in Brillion, Wisconsin (1967 to 1975); Woodruff, Wisconsin (1975 – 1980); Swan Valley, Montana (1980 – 1989) and Manitowoc, Wisconsin from 1990 until their retirement in 1993 at which point they moved back to Fifield again. In July 2020, she was honored for 55 years of service with Continental Baptist Missions.

Eileen was a woman of many talents! She was an excellent seamstress. She repurposed adult clothing to outfit her kids and did sewing and alterations to generate income, including sewing dresses for entire wedding parties (as well as a couple tuxes). She often created her own patterns, working from pictures (created her daughter's wedding dress from four pictures while living in Montana and daughter in Wisconsin).

She was an enthusiastic pastor's wife; active in her community, caring for their congregations, teaching both children and women's Bible classes. At one point she ran a Day Care at their church. Even after retirement and moving into Assisted Living, she enjoyed getting out, talking to people and being an encourager. Many people are recipients of quilts she made through the years. She also enjoyed crafting and putting together puzzles. Of course, her first love was being with her family.

She is survived by her loving children: Jef (Iva) Patterson, Hastings, Michigan; Barbara Patterson, Appleton; Dik (Colleen) Patterson, Park Falls; Faith (Steve) Cochrane, Boulder Junction; and Steve (Jessica) Patterson, Tomahawk. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Jasmine Woods; Trevor and Christian Patterson; Timothy, Cynthia and Matthew Patterson; Andrew and Kaitlin Cochrane; Marcus and Vanessa Patterson. Also surviving Eileen are: 13 great grandchildren; one brother Ted (Elizabeth); one sister-in-law Bonnie Patterson; numerous nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; her husband Jim; brother Donald Tollefsen; sister Marjorie Duck and grandchild Nicolas Ryan Patterson.

Visitation was held in Park Falls, Wisconsin at Birch Street Funeral Service Chapel Sunday, Nov. 7. Services were held at Woodruff Baptist Church, Woodruff, Wisconsin on Monday, Nov. 8. Burial will be at a later date.

Birch Street Funeral Service, Park Falls is assisting with the arrangements. http://www.birchstreetfuneralservice.com