MELVERN, Kan. – Dorothy Jean (Fitch) Patterson, 93, of Melvern, Kan., departed this life on Monday, June 21, 2021, at her home. She was born March 24, 1928, in Waverly, Kan., the daughter of Lloyd Hampton and Lillian Marguerite (Gisin) Fitch.
She grew up in Waverly and graduated from Waverly High School in 1946.
On Oct. 10, 1947, Dorothy was united in marriage to Gale D. Patterson in Ottawa, Kan. They shared more than 70 years of marriage before Gale passed away Jan. 10, 2018. To this union they shared four children, Daryl, Nancy, Connie and Sandy.
Dorothy was the first female bus driver for the Melvern School District, which she drove for more than 21 years. She also worked at the Lyndon Broom Factory and the Lyndon Telephone Office, and she worked as a Healthy Start Visitor for Osage County. She would spend most of her life farming with her husband Gale.
Dorothy was a member of the EHU and the Canasta Clubs. She was also a member of the United Methodist Women.
Dorothy’s greatest enjoyment came from attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, 4-H events, and other school activities they participated in. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, friends and her dogs. Dorothy’s warm spirit and kindness will be carried on and expressed in the daily lives of her family and friends forever.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gale; and two brothers, Warren and Kenny Fitch.
Dorothy is survived by her three daughters, Nancy (Larry) Yockey, of Melvern, Connie (Allen) Butts, Melvern, and Sandy (Terry) Bullock, Lyndon, Kan.; son, Daryl (Gloria) Patterson, Melvern; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and her dogs, Baxter and Leah.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, June 26, at Feltner Funeral Home, Lyndon. Burial will follow to the Pleasant View Cemetery, east of Melvern.
Memorial contributions may be made to the East Central Area Agency on Aging or True Grace Community Church, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451. Condolences can be left at feltnerfuneralhome.com.
