Henry E. Patterson, 79
Henry E. Patterson, 79, of Whitefish, died Sunday, Dec. 12, 2005, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.
He was born Sept. 10, 1926, in Kalispell, the son of Carl W. and Elsie (Wachsmuth) Patterson. He grew up in the Flathead Valley on the family farm on U.S. 93, which is now the location of the Majestic Valley Arena. He attended rural schools and graduated from Flathead County High School in 1944. He was active in 4-H and FFA while in high school.
He delivered mail on the East Shore of Flathead Lake for several years. On Jan. 14, 1949, he was united in marriage to Carol Fredenberg in Kalispell.
In August 1952, he began a career with the Great Northern Railway and worked until his retirement in December 1988 with Burlington Northern.
He enjoyed fishing and spending time at the Patterson cabin on Ashley Lake. When his children were small, the family did a lot of camping.
Henry was always there to lend a helping hand to a neighbor or friend. He was an active member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Whitefish as well as the men's Bible study.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Robert and Earl Patterson.
He is survived by his wife, Carol Patterson, of Columbia Falls; his daughters, Wendy Howard and husband, Darrell, of Whitefish, Linda Howard and husband, Bob, of Kalispell, Nancy Turner and husband, Mike, of Junction City, Kan., Meredith Beckedahl and husband, Mark, of Shelby, and Karen Kade and husband, Jay, of Parker, Colo.; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Walter Patterson, of Polson; three sisters, Agnes Gustafson of Kalispell, Betty Van Alstine of Whitefish, and Anna Jones of Missoula; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Henry will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Whitefish, with Pastor Marty Kaarre officiating. Visitation will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Urn burial will be private by the family.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to St. Peter Lutheran Church, 201 Wisconsin Ave., Whitefish, MT 59937.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Henry's family.