Obituary of Bernice Patton

Bernice M. Patton, 92 of Cambridge, died on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at GracePointe Crossing Gables West. Bernice, daughter of Charles and Myrtle Ostlund, was born on March 27, 1921 in Wadena County, Minnesota. After high school, Bernice attended Staples Teacher's Training and St. Cloud Teachers College. She taught country school for five years in Wadena and Todd Counties. During World War II she worked in Ypsilanti, MI at the Willow Run Ford Plant, assisting in the production of B-24 "Liberator" military aircraft. After the war, she worked as a bank teller in Long Beach, CA. On January 25, 1947 she married Duane Patton of Wadena, MN (formerly of Steele, North Dakota). Their first home was in Minneapolis where Bernice taught nursery school. Later they lived in Hibbing, MN and in 1960 moved to Cambridge, MN. In Cambridge, Bernice was an elementary school substitute teacher and assisted with the lunch program. In 1963 Bernice began working at Grandview Christian Home and during her tenure became an LPN and retired after 20 years of service. Bernice had many interests; she enjoyed cooking, canning, and baking. She had a long involvement with 4H and had won many ribbons at the State Fair. She especially enjoyed entertaining for friends and family. Her love for family was evident to all who knew her. She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church for 50 years and joyfully served in many areas of the church. Her Christian faith inspired her to teach Sunday school to 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders. She also enjoyed working with Vacation Bible School and serving in the nursery. Bernice was an active member of Cambridge Women's Club, Cambridge Study Club and various bible study groups by Christian Women's Club and the First Baptist Church. She was very happy to be part of the first "over 60's club" at the First Baptist Church. Bernice was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Myrtle; husband Duane (1987); and siblings Ken and Erwin Ostlund and Darlene Miller. She is survived by her children Virginia (John) Dell of St. Paul, MN, Michael (Diana) Patton of Anchorage, AK, Nancy (Darrell) Spoors of Lakeland, MN; five grandchildren Emily, Joshua, Kari, Nathan and Sara; seven great grandchildren; sister Shirley Clausen of Brainerd, MN; brother Everett (Eleanor) Ostlund of Carbonado, WA; sisters-in-law Bergie Ostlund of Bagley, MN and Donna Patton of Phoenix, AZ; brother-in-law Jim Miller of Buckley, WA; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.