Hazel Mae Patterson

Hazel Mae (Stevenson) Patterson, 102, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at Senior Suites in Urbandale, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 18 at 11:00 a.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. A private burial for the family will follow at Oak View Cemetery in Albia, Iowa.

Hazel was born on April 14, 1909 in Hocking, Iowa to George and Elizabeth Stevenson. She was the second of five children, which included two brothers, Donald and Robert, and two sisters, Mary and Betty. She graduated from Albia High School in 1926 and married Leonard “Pat” Patterson on May 18, 1935.

Hazel has always been a very bright and busy woman. Until she was 95 years old, she was considered the chief baker and seamstress of her family. Her pot roast and pies were in high demand. She was always available to hem a pair of pants, make curtains, or teach a niece how to sew. In addition, she held various jobs throughout her lifetime in Ottumwa and Des Moines including, Rowlings Hosiery Mill, John Deere, Iowa Sales Tax Commission, and Noel Insurance. She was also a caretaker for her mother.

Hazel and Leonard spent the majority of their marriage in Ottumwa. They loved to travel and fish. Leonard died of cancer in 1979, and Hazel moved back to Des Moines. She was a very active member of Cornerstone Community Church and regularly participated in the missionary class by making quilts. She also loved cooking in the kitchen at Willowbrook Bible Camp.

Hazel stayed very active until she was well into her nineties. She took walks regularly, fed the squirrels on her apartment balcony, played her keyboard, danced around her apartment and baked. She loved to fish every summer in the Ozarks, and never passed up the opportunity to swing on a swing.

She is survived by her sister, Betty (Ronald) Billings of Des Moines, and many nieces, nephews, and church friends.

The family would like to extend a very special “Thank You” to Senior Suites of Urbandale for their kind and loving care for Hazel over the past four years. Thank you also to Central Iowa Hospice for your care and support during these last months.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Willowbrook Bible Camp or the Women’s Missionary Class at Cornerstone Community Church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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