Gertrude Kathleen Patterson

Gertrude Kathleen Patterson, 85, passed away on November 15, 2013 in the home of her daughter Lisa, in Oak Forest, IL.

Gertrude was born to Harold and Grace Smith in Fargo, ND on February 17, 1928. Early years were spent in the Rustad, MN area, and she attended schools in Rustad and Comstock until the family moved to Moorhead. Following graduation from Moorhead High School, she studied at Concordia College. There she completed a Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude, with majors in Business Education, Economics, and History, and worked in the Placement Bureau. Gertrude continued working in the Placement Bureau for a year following graduation, and then moved to St. Paul where she worked for Brown and Bigelow, Advertising Specialties, and Sullivan, Stringer, Donnelly and Sharood, Attorneys at Law. She returned to Fargo-Moorhead and was employed by the Henry J. Gilbertson Agency/Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, the North Dakota State ASC office, and Swensgaard’s Employment until her marriage to Donald D. Patterson in 1958.

Gertrude cultivated a life-long passion for classical music and developed an especial love of opera. She studied piano and violin as a child, and added organ while a student at Concordia. She served as organist at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Moorhead, and Immanuel Lutheran Church, Fargo.

Gertrude loved traveling and exploring nature with her husband, Don. They spent many happy hours traversing country roads, binoculars in hand, on the lookout for birds, wildlife, and beautiful scenery. They also enjoyed bowling, and Gertrude was for many years, a member of the NDSU Soils Department team. Both Gertrude and Don were dedicated supporters of the Arts, particularly of their daughter’s musical endeavors. Gertrude coached Lisa through beginning piano lessons, and expertly accompanied the first tunes Lisa played on her flute.

Throughout her life, Gertrude was blessed with extraordinary family and friends. She cherished them deeply, and found great joy in supporting the aspirations and celebrating the achievements of those she held dear.

Gertrude is survived by her daughter, Lisa; nephews, Paul Savereide and Mark Savereide; niece, Karen Savereide, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, several aunts and uncles, extended family, and friends.

Gertrude's video tribute can be viewed at http://www.philpetersonproductions.com/hr-memorials.htm