Kate Thompson Patterson

RUPERT – Kate Thompson Patterson passed away of natural causes on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, at her home in Boise, Idaho, at age 105.

She was born on Nov. 23, 1908, in Paris, Lamar County, Texas, the eighth child of Ida May White and John William Thompson. Her mother died when Kate was only a few months old and her oldest sister, Willie Mae, stepped in to help raise her younger siblings. Kate grew up and attended school in Forest Chapel, Texas, walking the two miles each way to school. Her chores included pumping water and carrying it to the house, gathering eggs, and bringing in firewood. She remembered they took corn to the grist mill for grinding and cane to be cooked in a vat to make syrup. They grew most of their own food. It was always a highlight of the year when her younger cousins came to visit.

She attended Paris Junior College and North Texas State Teachers College, receiving her teaching certificate. Her first teaching position was in a rural school house in Lamar County, teaching grades one through four. In 1933, she married John W ‘Pat’ Patterson who was also an educator. They taught at various schools then settled in Direct, Texas, to teach and farm. In 1954, they relocated to Idaho eventually moving to Rupert. Kate taught first grade at Lincoln School and then in the new Memorial School until her retirement in 1974. She was active in many community activities including the Rebecca Lodge, Business and Professional Women, Retired Teachers Association and the Senior Center. She enjoyed her flowers and vegetable garden and her many friends.

She experienced many changes during her lifetime – from using horse and buggy for transportation to seeing astronauts in space, from no telephones to the digital age.

She was preceded in death by her husband; an infant son; her parents; and siblings.

She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Patterson-Bolomet of Boise; daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Jack Estes of Boise; grandchildren, Jack Estes, Jr. of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Chandra Estes (Ed Cope) of Whitefish, Mont; and many nieces and nephews.

The family expresses sincere appreciation to Hearts for Hospice & Home Health and the Havenwood Caregiver Services for the compassionate and loving care given to their mother.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the Forest Chapel Methodist Church in Chicota, Texas. Burial will follow at the Forest Chapel Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Rasmussen Funeral Home of Burley.