In Memory of Norma Patterson

Norma Ann Patterson, age 85, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away early Thursday, May 2, 2013, at Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove.
            She was born Norma Ann Shaw on June 22, 1927, in Stuart, Iowa, the only daughter of Arthur C. and Inez M. (Barr) Shaw.  She grew into a beautiful young lady on the family farm near Stuart, Iowa, and was a graduate of Stuart High School.
            Norma made the acquaintance of Robert M. Patterson from Osceola, Iowa, while Robert was employed by Bufkin Funeral Home in Stuart, Iowa.  The couple became engaged and were united in marriage on June 16, 1952, in Storm Lake.  Shortly thereafter Robert became employed as a licensed mortician with Christensen Funeral Homes of Battle Creek and Ida Grove, with Robert and Norma making their first home in Battle Creek, Iowa.
            At this time Christensen’s also operated an on-call ambulance service, often making numerous late night trips crisscrossing the state.  Norma worked incessantly alongside her husband in the funeral homes, doing anything and everything to make the business prosperous and successful.  Robert and Norma purchased the funeral homes in 1972, and eventually moved their residence to Ida Grove in 1976.
            Robert and Norma retired from the funeral business in 1988, and built a beautiful new retirement home in Ida Grove.  They traveled significantly, often with friends, taking many enjoyable trips to places they had only dreamt about during their busy working years.  In 2011, the couple sold their home and moved into a new apartment at the Golden Horizons Assisted Living Facility in Ida Grove.
            Norma especially was a very hard worker and always kept busy maintaining their homes and businesses in an immaculate and shipshape fashion.  She enjoyed gardening, cooking and canning and was extremely skilled in knitting, crocheting and needlework.  She enjoyed watching wildlife and was an avid bird-watcher.  She liked the Lawrence Welk Show and one of her favorite movies was “The Sound of Music.”
            Norma possessed a deep and abiding faith.  She was a reliable, steadfast member of the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek.  In previous years she had been a participant in the Ladies Aide and PEO Chapter CB.  Norma had a straight and forward manner about her, but it was always tempered with a quick wit and warm easy smile.  Norma was always one to be satisfied with what she had, or was given to her.  If you asked her, it was always a good day in Norma’s world, regardless of the circumstances or her discomfort.  She was quite simply a non-complainer and will always be remembered by those who loved her as a good and kind, ever faithful sister, daughter, wife, aunt and friend.
            She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of over 60 years, Robert; sister-in-law Bonelle (Alberts) Shaw Kinnetz; many nieces, nephews and their families, as well as a host of caring, good friends and neighbors. 
            Norma was preceded in death by her mother and father; her three brothers and sisters-in-law, Merritt C. and Arlene  (Lang) Shaw, Edward B. Shaw, and J. Leland and Shirley (Secrest) Shaw; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Lester L. and Connie (Ashley) Patterson.
            Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 6, 2013, at the First Presbyterian Church in Battle Creek, Iowa, under the direction of Christensen-Huffman Funeral Homes, with the Reverend Kevin J. Freese officiating, with a meal immediately following the services. Visitations will be held with the family present 1-4 p.m. Sunday, May 5, 2013, at the Christensen-Huffman Funeral Home in Ida Grove, and also on Tuesday, May 6, 2013, 10-Noon at the Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Iowa.  Committal services will be held following the Tuesday visitation at the rural Fremont Cemetery, north of Osceola.