Lois Patterson, 1936-2016

Loved by friends and family, Lois Patterson died peacefully and comfortably under compassionate hospice care in Satanta, Kansas on January 28, 2016.  

Born in Lamar [Prowers County], Colorado June 14, 1936 to Violet Isabel Stuchal and Harry Retus Abrams, Lois grew through her adolescent and young adult years with tender care from her stepmother, Eva Abrams.  Eva’s classroom at the Prairie Center School was not only the center of learning, but also the social hub for that community in Kiowa County.  Lois and her siblings attended box suppers there, referred to as the “do’uns”, and learned to call Eva “Teacher” from those beginnings of their relationship.  Eva loved Lois as her own daughter, teaching and exemplifying Christian womanhood.  Lois loved Eva and received Eva’s teaching, which Lois passed forward through fifty years of ministry in prayer and personal missionary work.  

Teenage Lois enjoyed friendship with Lillian Sapp of Eads, Colorado and  spent many wonderful "horseback" vacations visiting the picturesque ranch of aunt Lois [Stuchal] Roberson and uncle A.A. "Gus" Roberson near Gunnison, Colorado. 

Learning continued after Lois graduated from Eads High School in 1954, as an enlistee in the U.S. Navy.  Lois quickly rose through the ranks as a teletype operator with top secret security clearance assigned to the Atlantic fleet, working at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida.  Lois distinguished military service career included selection to represent the Navy in national marksmanship competitions.  Lois earned top honors in the All-Navy handgun and rifle competitions, winning many awards which her family in Kiowa County, Colorado displayed with pride.

In 1958 Lois married Frank Donald "Don" Patterson, of Waco, TX.  Don was a successful NCO in the Navy, becoming "chief of the boat" for the nuclear submarine Tinosa (SSN 606).  With Don, in Jacksonville, Lois gave birth to two sons, Harry Louis Patterson, and Donald Joseph Patterson.

Lois was preceded in death by mother Violet Isabel Stuchal-Abrams (Murphy), father Harry Retus Abrams, Husband Frank Donald Patterson, sister Rita Lorraine Abrams-Schwarzenbach, brother Harry Loren Abrams, sister Sharon Dee Abrams, and sibling Phyllis Adella Woodcock-Dunsmoor.

Lois is survived by her sons Louis of Burns Flat, Oklahoma and Don of Burlington, Iowa., brother Ted Abrams of Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, and sibling Helen Joyce Woodcock-Abrams of Lamar, Colorado.  

Nieces and nephews include: Michael Abrams of Denver, Colorado, Lynette Abrams of Lamar, Colorado, Lori Abrams-Morlan of Eads, Colorado, Dallas Abrams of Lamar, Colorado, Lynn Schwarzenbach of Tampa, Florida, Vicki Schwarzenbach of Tampa, Florida, Carla Sue (Doug) Goodrich of Thornton, Colorado, Dennis Wade (Sharlene) Schneiderwent of Denver, Colorado, Jefry Jon Mumford (Roice) of Lamar, Colorado,  Bethany Abrams-Temple of Raleigh, North Carolina, Luke Abrams of London, England, Alanna Abrams of Seattle, Washington, and Sarah Abrams-Schnierer of Seattle, Washington.

Grandchildren are: Preston Patterson, Jacob Patterson, and Amanda Patterson-Anderson 

Great-Grandchildren are: Donald Anderson, Joseph Patterson, and Joshua Patterson

Lois worked as a business manager and later for the school district before dedicating herself to provide care for her father through the cancer treatments of his final years.  Lois went on to make full proof of her ministry on the domestic mission field, delivering kindness and the Gospel message around southeastern Colorado and southwestern Kansas.  A prayer warrior, Lois worshipped with communities of faith in Lamar, Colorado, Minter, Kansas, and surrounding areas, including Hugoton, where Lois was active in the Friday Night Praise and Worship Fellowship.

Grieving the loss of our beloved, the family appreciates your prayers for comfort and peace.  Lois is interred at the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery at Fort Dodge, near Dodge City, KS.  In lieu of flowers, to honor Lois please donate to your local church or to Friday Night Praise and Worship Fellowship, P.O. Box 445, Hugoton, KS 67951.

Lois June Abrams-Patterson 1936-2016.