John W. Patterson, 94, of St. Ansgar, died on Sunday, May 4, 2014, at Good Shepherd Health Center, Mason City, Iowa.

John was born on May 28, 1919, in Union Township, Mitchell County, Iowa, three-and-a-half miles north of Toeterville, Iowa, to John C. and Velma (Rutt) Patterson. He was baptized at the Union Presbyterian Church. He attended school at Mona and Otranto, graduating in 1937, from Otranto High School. After high school John managed the lumberyard in Toeterville. In 1941, he entered the U.S. Army and spent 39 months in the European Theatre with the 34th Inf. Div., being honorably discharged June 16, 1945.

John was united in marriage to Francis Jean Thompson on June 16, 1956, at the First Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar, and to this union three children were born: Jeanie, Susan and Mark. They lived for three years in Waterloo, Iowa, prior to moving to the farm, in 1959, in Union Township. John farmed for over 40 years. He served on the Church Board, was Commander and Chaplin at the American Legion, served on the Toeterville COOP Elevator Board, was a longtime member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, Toeterville. John enjoyed camping, fishing, golfing and playing pool with the guys. He attended many sporting events of his children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Susan; brothers, Don (Enid), Max, Darrell, Merle and Kenneth; sister, Helen (Clarence) Debner; brother and sister-in-law, Alvin and Pauline Kroneman.

John is survived by his wife Fran; daughter, Jeanie (Doug) Heimer of Rock Falls, Iowa.; son, Mark (Gayle) Patterson of St. Ansgar; grandchildren, Jake (Kelli Jo) Heimer; and children, Thad and Karli, Justin (Lisa) Heimer and son Bryce, Cole Heimer and friend Jena Spier, Bobby Patterson, John D. Patterson and Hannah Patterson; sisters, Neva Nelson of St. Ansgar and Lois (Walter) Benesh of Austin, Minn.

Funeral service is scheduled for at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 8, 2014, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Toeterville, Iowa, with Rev. W. Paul Weeg officiating. Burial will be in the St. Ansgar Cemetery, St. Ansgar. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, at Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, and one hour prior to service at the church. Military Honors will be conducted by the Walter T. Enneberg Post No. 358 of the American Legion.

Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, Ia. 641-713-4920. www.schroederandsites.com