Carolyn Patterson

Carolyn Marie Urbantke Patterson, 85 years of age, passed peacefully in her home Sunday July 30, 2017 surrounded by family and loved ones who cared for her. Carolyn was born on March 29th, 1932 to Alvin and Emily Urbantke in a small German community, The Grove, Texas during the Great Depression. She attended church regularly with her family at St. Paul Lutheran Church confirming her faith to the lord April 14th, 1946. Carolyn started her schooling at The Grove and graduated from Belton High School in 1949. She was involved in numerous school clubs: FHA Future Homemakers of America, the Hobby Club, the Tumbling club and Book of the Month Club. Being born before there was Social Security, she had a profound sense for the value of a dollar. After graduating High School, Carolyn moved to Houston with her cousin Bernice and they became roommates. She began a position with the Houston Police Department as a record clerk sorting and filing complaints that ranged from minor violations to felonies. She advanced in the department from Jr. to Sr. Clerk even posed for photos used in a series of articles written in the newspaper the Houston Post on "What would you do if you had to Solve a Murder" When the department's bureau of records needed to bring the past up to date, Carolyn was in charge of Houston's "Operation Microfilm" putting over 1,500,000 paper files on film. Her love of adventure and travelling was also exciting, as she collected postcard memories ranging from Mexico throughout the United States leaving a treasure trove of postcard memories. She loved dancing and bowling, where she met Robert G Patterson. They later married on August 15th, 1959. She resigned from the Police Department and entered into married life as a homemaker for their 2 children, a son, Marshel and a daughter Marcel. Robert was a CPA whose job sent him to many locations throughout the South Texas area until they moved to Dickinson. It was there she planted roots for her children and gained employment at Houston Lighting and Power as a parts technician. She retired in 1992 from HL&P, but continued working with the school district as a bus driver until the age of 65. Carolyn later moved to Florida to be near her daughter for the birth of her granddaughter, Chiara.

Carolyn was well known for her sense of humor, the love of children, her warmth, compassion and a smile that would light up a room wherever she went. She loved sewing, fishing, cooking, her rose garden, entertaining and a good joke. She will be loved, missed and remembered by all she touched.

She is preceded in death by her sisters Dorothy Baird, Mildred Winkler, her ex-husband whom she remained close to Robert Patterson.

She is survived by her Brother Ardeen Urbantke of Round Rock, TX and son Marshel Patterson of New Bern, NC and her daughter Marcel Patterson Basso and husband Frank Basso of Naples, FL and her granddaughter, Chiara Basso and Nieces and Nephews residing throughout Texas

The family will receive visitors from 6-8pm on Friday Aug 4th at Harper-Talask Funeral Home in Belton, TX. The Memorial service will be on Saturday August 5th at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in The Grove, TX beginning at 10:00am followed by lunch and fellowship

Visitation

HarperTalasek Funeral Home Chapel
503 N. Main St.
Belton, TX  76513
Friday, August 4, 2017
6 to 8 p.m.

Service

Funeral Service

St. Paul's Lutheren Church
220 The Grove Road
Gatesville, TX  76528
Saturday, August 5, 2017
10 a.m.

Cemetery

St. Paul's Cemetery
220 The Grove Road
Gatesville, TX  76528