PATTERSON, Clair E. 1946-2011

PATTERSON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 2/22/2023 at 09:20:42

Clair Eugene Patterson
(February 8, 1946 - September 10, 2011)

Northwood Anchor, Northwood, Iowa, Wed., Sep 14, 2011, p.9 & 11
Clair Eugene Patterson, 65, of Northwood passed away Saturday, September 10, 2011 at Hospice of North Iowa. Clair was surrounded by his loving family at the time of his death. Visitation for Clair was held from 4-7pm on Tuesday September 13, 2011 at Conner Colonial Chapel, 1008 First Ave. South, Northwood. A funeral service for Clair will be held 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday September 14, 2011, at the First Lutheran Church, 309 North 9th Street, Northwood, IA. Burial will be in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood. Lunch will be served at the church following the burial.
Clair was born February 8, 1946 in Mason City, IA to Robert and Geneva (Brazel) Patterson. Clair was born as the fourth of five brothers. He attended school and graduated from Northwood-Kensett High School class of 1964. Following high school, Clair attended NIACC and received his AA degree. Clair was united in marriage to the love of his life Rebecca Ann Barnes on September 15, 1972 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mason City. To this union, a son, Michael, and a daughter, Janna were born.
Clair spent the majority of his working years employed by Randall Transit/Falkstone in Northwood. There, he worked for 27 years and reluctantly retired in the fall of 2010 due to his deteriorating health.
Clair was loved and cherished by his family and multitude of friends. He was always the person friends and family could call on for a helping hand. Clair epitomized all that is good about small town friendships. Clair was an avid sportsman, spending the years hunting pheasants, deer, and later in life he mastered the luck of turkey hunting. He enjoyed sitting for hours waiting out the elusive gobbler. Fishing was his passion that was only limited by time and resources. He counted the days to his annual trip to Lac Seul, Ontario, Canada with his fishing buddies and son. Here, they were graced by fertile waters of plentiful walleyes. His buddies even named an island after him the year he caught the big walleye of the trip. Clair was most at ease with a fishing rod and beer in hand on the waters of Lac Seul. Clair was beyond passionate about the Iowa Hawkeyes. He and Becky spent many fall weekends traveling to Iowa City to cheer on the Hawks with friends and family. Over the years, there were many instances where people mistakenly took Clair for resembling legendary Hawkeye football coach Hayden Fry. While feeling a small sense of embarrassment at the time, you knew deep down inside, Clair took great pride in those humorous moments. Clair was also a dedicated racing fan enjoying watching his brother and nephews race stock and modified cars on dirt tracks through the years. Clair was a big NASCAR fan cheering on Jeff Gordon to all his victories over the years. Clair and Becky traveled to Texas on numerous occasions to visit their dear friends and attend the race. Ironically, Clair missed Jeff Gordon’s only victory at the Texas track in the spring of 2009 as he and Becky did not travel there due to his health. Clair held a deep appreciation for classic automobiles. He and Becky had an early 50’s Chevy pick-up that they enjoyed driving to the Aristocrats car club events. They also attended the Back to the 50’s car show at the Minnesota State fairgrounds on a yearly basis. Clair’s family will sadly miss him and will always remember him as a great husband, father, and grandfather. His friends will miss his generosity, quick wit, and booming smile. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Becky, of 39 years; his children, Michael (Lisa) Patterson of Lone Tree and Janna (Chad) Arndt of Mason City; his grandchildren Natalie, Cadence, and Jackson Patterson; Caleb, Alexis, and Brooklyn Arndt; his mother Geneva and brothers, Harvey (Evy), Howard, Larry (Barb), and Richard Patterson all of Northwood; father and mother -in-law Russell and Dorothy Barnes of Cresco; brother-in -laws John(Theresa) Barnes of Cresco and Dan(Sue) Barnes of Adams, MN; sister-in-laws Michaeleen (John) Swanson of Lakeville, MN and Colleen (Kevin) Crow of Cresco; along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert, and his sister-in-law, Lois.