Laura B. Patchen

Laura B. Patchen, 98, of Mason City, IA, passed away on Friday, July 4, 2014, at the Good Shepherd Health Center. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 16, 2014, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 328 East State Street, with Rev. Sid Bohls officiating. There will be a gathering of family and friends one hour prior to the church service. A private family interment was held at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery with Rev. John “Jack” Gannett officiating. Memorials may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church. Laura was born to Harlo and Alvina Bolk on March 8, 1916, in Sheffield, IA. She grew up on a farm and got to her one room country school via horse and buggy. She graduated from Sheffield High School in 1933 and from Hamilton School of Business in Mason City in 1936. She met James E. Patchen while on a double date. They were married in Mason City on May 11, 1941. She worked as a credit manager for Jacob E. Decker and Sons meat-packing plant from 1937 to 1946. After time off to raise a family, she returned to work at the Park Clinic Business Office, retiring from there in 1981. Laura was a wonderful wife and mother. While at home she became involved with Brownie Scouts, Cub Scouts, Sunday school, Bible school, and transporting the kids to a variety of activities. She and Jim liked to travel, so family trips were frequent. Trips were often punctuated by stops along the road to pick up an interesting rock specimen for her flower gardens. After Jim's retirement, the two of them traveled to Alaska, Hawaii and Europe before his death in 1979. After Jim's death, Laura became very involved in the local community. Among her many activities were Garden Club, Questers, Hospice Volunteer, English as a Second Language teacher and member of the Good Shepherd Resident Advocate Committee. Laura was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church. She served on the Church Council, church circles, and was especially fond of doing quilt finishing work for the women's group. Laura enjoyed gardening, crafts, and the family dogs. At the ripe old age of 76, she was thrilled to finally become a grandmother, and was lucky to have many more years to enjoy the company of her grandchildren. Laura will be especially missed by her children, Vicki (David) Holmstrom, Bovey, MN, and Jim (Terri) Patchen, Mason City; grandchildren Matt and Erin Patchen, Mason City; sister-in-law Margaret Bolk, Sheffield. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Linda Kragel, and brother Stanley Bolk.

Cemetery:
A private family interment was held at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Visitation:
There will be a gathering of family and friends one hour prior to the church service.

Service:
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 16, 2014, at St. Paul Lutheran Church.