Harold W. Patterson, Sr.

Harold W. Patterson, age 73, passed away at the Appleton Medical Center on Monday, January 21, 2008, following a fearless battle with cancer. Harold was born in Aurora, Illinois, on April 25, 1934, son of the late Earl E. and Gladys (Wilkerson) Patterson, Sr. He graduated from the Plainfield High School, and just a couple of years later moved to Madison. It was there that he met and married Louise Nelson. The couple wed in Madison on September 24, 1955. Harold soon took up the trades of flooring installation and trucking and worked in the Marshall and Sun Prairie areas until relocating to Eagle River in the late 1990's. In 2006, the couple relocated to the Valley in order to be closer to their children.

Harold was a true outdoorsman – he enjoyed golf, fishing, hunting, playing cards, was a member of the River Valley Outdoorsmen's Club, the Arrows and Antlers Sportsmen's Club, Wisconsin Deer Hunters, Inc., and was a member of their hall of fame. He also was a certified Boating Safety Instructor.

Harold is survived by his wife of fifty-two years: Louise Patterson of Darboy; seven children: Harold Patterson, Jr. of Sun Prairie and his special friend Shirley; Debra Gaulke of Florida; Brenda (John) Slotten of Menasha; Kenneth Patterson of Columbus; Steven (Shelly) Patterson of Kimberly; Stephanie Marks of Menasha; and Doug Jacobson of Washington State; nineteen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; two brothers: his twin, Gerald (Kay) Patterson of New London and Robert (Joey) Patterson of Wautoma; two sisters-in-law: Rosemary Patterson of Minnesota and Ruth Ann Patterson of Beloit; a brother-in-law: Sandy (Barbie) Nelson of California; his mother-in-law: Catherine Nelson of Darboy, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter Lacey Marks, a son-in-law John Gaulke, brothers Earl Patterson, Jr. and Richard Patterson, and his father-in-law Stanley Nelson.

The funeral service for Harold will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 25, 2008 at the Wichmann Funeral Home, 3212 S. Oneida Street in Appleton. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 4:00 until 8:00 PM and again Friday morning from 9:30 AM until the hour of the service. There will be a prayer service at the funeral home on Thursday evening at 7:30. A memorial fund is being established to assist the disabled in their enjoyment of the outdoors.

Harold will be remembered for his quick wit and his sense of humor which we all enjoyed over the years. Most of all, his zest for life defined him. He fought valiantly to beat his cancer. Although he lost that battle on Monday, everyone will remember his incredible inner strength, and how he never, ever complained about any obstacle that was placed before him.

Dad – we love you very much, and while we know that you are safe with Jesus, we will treasure the memories forever and will always miss you.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
3212 S. Oneida Street
Appleton, WI 54915
920-831-9905