Lena Patterson, 93, of Oskaloosa, died Sunday, February 25, 2024, at the MHP Hospital in Oskaloosa. She was born August 22, 1930, in Mahaska County the daughter of Arie and Patrina Boender Vander Linden. She graduated from Lacey High School with the class of 1949. On August 12, 1950, she was united in marriage to Donald M. Patterson in Oskaloosa. To this union three children were born, Barbara, Donald W., and Kenneth. She stayed home to care for her family and home while her children were young, she also spent many hours helping Don on the farm. She later took a job working in food service for the Oskaloosa Community School District. She
retired from working there full-time in 1997, but in retirement still enjoyed filling in on days they needed help. In retirement she volunteered for Mahaska Hospice and had been recognized as volunteer of the year a few years ago. She was an active member of the Beacon United Methodist Church where she served in various capacities in leadership and in the kitchen for Vacation Bible School. Lena enjoyed watching college basketball especially during March Madness. She also enjoyed crocheting, quilting, and cooking.
Her family includes her three children, Barbara (William) Walter of New Sharon, Donald (Bernice) Patterson of Oskaloosa, and Kenneth Patterson of New Sharon; four grandchildren, Kate (Joe) Aziz, Beth (Danen) Flander, Jason (Traci) Hewitt, and Aaron (Jaque) Patterson; 6 great grandchildren; a sister, Mildred Wenger of Columbia, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Donald M. on June 12, 1995; six sisters, Hazel Klein, Cathern DeBooy, Pauline Spain, Wilma VerSteeg, Betty Springer, Bernice Bias, and three sisters in infancy.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March 1, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Pastor Olivia Fabros officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Thursday, February 29, 2024, after 11:00 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel on Thursday evening from 6-8 to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to MHP Hospice Serenity House or the D.A.V.
