Don Patterson, 89, of Villisca died Monday, March 30, 2020, at Good Samaritan Society in Villisca. Private family services were held April 3 at Wolfe-Billings Funeral Chapel in Villisca.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.walkermerrickwolfe.com.
Donald Clark Patterson was born March 18, 1931, to Albert and Irma (Doggett) Patterson in Villisca. He was raised in Villisca until his family moved to Bergman, Arkansas, where he graduated from high school, but the Villisca class of 1950 made him an honorary graduate. Don moved back to Villisca and on May 26, 1957, he married Anna Marie Belding.
In his early years he worked at LA Moore’s Tire Shop, and he was also a janitor at the Lincoln School building in Villisca. He started working at the Villisca Municipal Light and Power Plant in 1953 until he retired, and then came out of retirement to work as a superintendent at the power plant until he retired for good after 44 years. While working at the light and power plant, he worked after hours for Herb and Jim’s Tree Service. When Don retired, he could be found working on a farm. One of Don’s passions was gardening and he loved to spend time taking care of the flowers around the square. He also loved to help anyone in the community that needed it.
Don spent time in the Army National Guard and was an E5 when he retired after 30 years. He also served on the Villisca library board and was a member of the Villisca American Legion and helped perform military rites.
Don is survived by his daughters Becky (David) Nolte of Wilton, and Susan Johnson (Rick Smith) of Villisca; 4 grandchildren: Kathleen (Mike) Rouse, Jacob Nolte, Doug (Jen) Raney, Donnie Patterson; sisters Carol Greenfield and Norma Parish; along with 5 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Anna Marie, brother John Patterson, son Jeff Patterson and brother-in-law Jerry Greenfield.
