Pamela Gene Patterson, 66

Pamela Gene Patterson, 66, of Belgrade, passed peacefully after an eight-month struggle with intestinal cancer, on March 17, 2012, surrounded by her family.

She was born on Jan. 21, 1946, in Kansas City, Kan., the daughter of Gene and Bonnie Sprague.

 Pam graduated in 1964 from Downey High School, where she participated and excelled in many activities and sports. She attended Cal State Fullerton for one year.

 In 1964, she married Bill Kaneen and they had two sons, Brad and Ryan.  When the children were young, they moved from Belmont Shore, Calif., to Coram to start a business.

 In the spring of 1982, Pam met Bruce Patterson at a birthday party bash, and it was love at first sight. This magical love lasted for 30 wonderful years!  In 1983, they adopted a daughter, Misty.

 Pam worked as a legal secretary in California and as a property manager for the Povah family in West Yellowstone, Wyo. She was ready to travel anytime, anywhere. She enjoyed skiing, camping, reading, needlework of all kinds, and fine cuisine and vino. She loved the ocean and the beach, snorkeling, scuba diving, shelling and, of course, her children and grandchildren.

 She was preceded in death by her father, Gene Sprague; and her son, Ryan Jay.

She will be sincerely missed by her loving mother, Bonnie Brown, and incredible stepfather, Verne Brown of Palm Desert, Calif.; devoted and committed husband, Bruce; her son, Brad, and his wife, Connie, and their two children Seth, 14, and Shelby, 13, of Corona, Calif.; her daughter, Misty Petersen, and husband, Jerry, of Bozeman; her brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Nancy Brown, of Irvine, Calif., and their children, Todd, 25, and Kurt, 23; sister-in-law, Jean, and her husband, Bill Robinson, of Bastrop, Texas; best friends forever, Sue Meston of Colorado Springs, Colo., and George Schramm of Belgrade; and numerous and fantastic friends from around the world. Her memory will be cherished by everyone who knew her. She was loved!

In the near future on a beautiful summer day, her family and friends will get together to celebrate her life — maybe on the river, maybe at home. We will let everyone know the details.

 In lieu of flowers, Pam requested that donations be made to Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 11390, Bozeman, MT 59719; or Hospice of Southwest Montana, c/o Bozeman Deaconess Foundation, 931 Highland Blvd, Ste. 3200, Bozeman, MT 59715.

Pam's final wish was that her brain be donated for Multiple Sclerosis research.

 Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service,  www.dokkennelson.com