Irene Esther Patterson

Irene Esther Patterson went home to be with her Lord on December 9, 2016. Cremation has been held and services will be held at a later date in Ansley, Nebraska. Friends may visit http://www.cantrellfh.com to view Irene's Tribute Wall and leave condolences and stories for the family. Memorials may be given in Irene's name to St. Jude's Children Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or calling 1-800-805-5856 or the Salvation Army at Give.Salvation Army USA.org . The services for Irene have been entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home.

Irene E. Patterson was born to Theodore and Esther (Zimbelman) Schmidt on July 15, 1928 in Colome, South Dakota. The Schmidt family moved to Ansley, Nebraska in 1935. Irene graduated from Ansley High School and married Richard (Dick) Patterson on November 4, 1947. The couple have three children, Arlie, Kathy and Rhonda. Dick and Irene moved to Kimball, NE in September of 1968. Irene was the Activity Director at the Kimball County Manor in the early 1970s. She worked at the family owned Patterson Hardware and Auto Parts Store for 22 years. Irene had a sincere love of music. She played the piano and organ and had a beautiful singing voice. Irene shared her musical talents at the Methodist Church for many years.

Irene is survived in death by her husband, Dick; Arlie (Marilyn) Patterson, Kathy (Ed) Avila both of Kimball and Rhonda (Jim) Brent of Mesa, AZ; sister Darlene (Gary) Luther of Carlsbad, NM; brother Roger (Ruth) Schmidt of Ansley, NE. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren and 2 great, great grandchildren.