Joe Patterson

Joel D. Patterson, age 55, of Elma, IA, formerly of Hartford, IA died on Thursday, December 20, 2012 at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton, IA. Joe (only his mother called him Joel and usually when he was in trouble) was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and grew up on a farm between Hartford and Palmyra with his mother and father, Marilyn and Edgar, and 4 siblings, Scott, Bill, Kim, and Jeff. Joe loved growing up on the farm, not because he enjoyed farming, but because he loved the outdoors. He was at peace when he was fishing in the pond, walking the “Back 10” (a plot of woods with a flowing stream), or just hiding in the old barn. Joe graduated high school and had a tremendous gift for drawing and painting, at one time receiving instruction from Maxine Jean Pendry, renowned artist of Iowa. He had several professions, but gravitated toward the construction industry building homes. Unfortunately, Joe’s life changed drastically when a construction accident caused him to be paralyzed below the waist. It was an injury from which he never really recovered; he returned to painting, especially landscapes and animals, but his diminished freedom and inability to roam the outdoors seriously crippled his spirit. Joe was preceded in death by his mother, Marilyn. He is survived by his son, Jeremiah (Laura) Patterson and six grandchildren, Nathanael, Kyndall, Ian, Caleb, Tylor, and Lily. In addition, he is survived by his father, Edgar S. Patterson of Hartford, Iowa, his 4 siblings, H. Scott (Krista) Patterson of Aptos, California, William L. (Kristi) Patterson of Stoughton, Wisconsin, Kimela S. (Rick) Marble of Hartford, Iowa, and Jeffery G. (Paula) Patterson of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and 10 nieces and nephews. Services will be held at a later date.