Obituary of Ethel Patterson

Ethel Christina Knutson Patterson, daughter of Edwin and Clara Knutson, was born August 31, 1917, she was the third of six children. Ethel, Orvil, Cora,Raymond, Freddie, and Lena and their parents lived on a farm north of Bovina, Colorado. After marrying Ira W. Freeman on August 19, 1934, Ethel had three children: Barbara, Bill, and Marlene. Ethel was blessed with much love in her life, having been married three times. Ira (Ike)Freeman (passed 1978), Floyd Borders (passed 1993), and Jake Patterson (passed 2000), provided her with a lifetime of companionship and happiness. Ethel was baptized and confirmed in Christ Lutheran Church of Genoa and spent most of her life attending that church. After moving to Stratton and later to Limon, she joined the United Methodist Church. She loved living on the farm, doing whatever was needed, whether it was driving the tractor, milking the cows or taking care of a big garden. When times were tough on the farm she sold kitchen and gift ware items through home parties to help make ends meet. At one time, she owned the Cottage Cafe in Genoa and people from other towns came to enjoy her fried chicken and homemade pie. She also cooked at the Genoa school and was the senior citizen coordinator at Genoa Senior Center. Music was essential in Ethel’s life. She joined a variety of bands, playing piano and guitar, throughout her life. She played for fourteen years with the Swinging Seniors band, playing at hospitals, senior centers and nursing homes all over Eastern Colorado and Western Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents Edwin and Clara Knutson, brothers Orvil, Raymond and Fred (Berniece) , sisters Lena (Bob) Schoening and Cora (Myron) Freeman. She is survived by her children Barbara (Que) Nguyen of Aurora Colorado, Bill (Sara) Freeman of Louviers Colorado and Marlene (Ray) Blinde of San Jose California, ten grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren, and 5 great great grandchildren as well as step children/grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews and friends. She is greatly loved, and will be truly missed.