Eugene "Gene" Patterson

Eugene Patterson, 86, of Winterset, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 26, 2020 at Azria Health where he had been a resident for the past four years. Eugene, son of Elmer and Geneva (Greenfield) Patterson, was born August 7, 1934 at home in Denison, Iowa. He attended schools at various places in his early childhood, as his father was a pastor, and graduated from Winterset High School in 1953. After high school, Eugene worked several jobs including Martin Brothers Oil, Brown Line Trucking and later as a mechanic for the Air National Guard. He was united in marriage to Ruby (Hamner) Patterson on August 12, 1956 and four children were born to this union. They were married for 61 years before Ruby’s death in 2017. Gene was a devoted son to his mother who raised him after his parents’ divorce while he was still young. He had an ornery streak as a young boy and loved to tell stories about adventures he would have with his friends, or sneaking up to the North Side pool hall to play a game of pool before school every day. He had the utmost respect for his high school principal, Mr. Miller, who acted as a role model and who he often spoke fondly of. He was able to attend his 65th class reunion in 2018 and thoroughly enjoyed visiting with his old friends and classmates. His kids warmly remember several things about their dad, such as the horse that he kept in a vacant lot across from their house in town when the boys were little. Gene built a cart that could hold their small family and would take them on rides around town. He loved to hunt for morel mushrooms and would load the family into the car and take them to the same secret spot to hunt for them every spring. Gene was meticulous about his home and automobiles and his kids affectionately gave him the nickname of “Clean Gene”. He loved big band music and dancing. He and Ruby would attend dances with their friends on a regular basis throughout their marriage. Gene worked at the Madison County Secondary Roads department for 38 years before retiring and never missed a day of work. He was a hard worker and always told his kids, “it doesn’t take any longer to do a job right than it does to do it wrong”. He never knew a stranger, could visit with anyone and had a never ending soft spot in his heart for his grandchildren. Gene is survived by his son Michael (Sandra) Patterson of Winterset; son Jeff of Des Moines; daughter Beth (Randy) Molln of West Des Moines; granddaughter Mary (Chandlor) Collins of West Des Moines; and great grandson Zaier; sister-in-law Patty Hamner of Winterset; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Paul Elmer; sister, Ruth Ellen; his wife, Ruby; infant daughter Angela; and grandson Chris. Due to Covid-19, there will be no open visitation and funeral services at this time. A private graveside service will be held in the Winterset Cemetery at a later date for his children. Memorials may be directed to The Animal Rescue League of Iowa or EveryStep Hospice. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.caldwellparrish.com.