Carole Lynn Patterson was born to Louise and Glenn Wakefield on November 7, 1948 in Centerville, Iowa. She grew up in Mystic and Centerville, IA, where she graduated from Centerville High School in 1967. After high school, she attended college at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Kirksville College.

Carole married Carl Patterson on June 5, 1971 at Drake Avenue Christian Church in Centerville. For the first years of marriage, they lived in Ottumwa, IA but moved to Omaha, NE, where they lived for 34 years. During those years, they welcomed their child Jeff into the world. Carole and Carl later moved to Champaign, IL for a few years before returning to Omaha.

Carole enjoyed to listening to jazz and classical music. She attended multiple jazz concerts in Omaha, Champaign and New Orleans throughout her life. Carole enjoyed reading the newspaper on a daily basis. She liked to make crafts, blankets and Afghans for friends and family. Carole also loved to cook, and taught Jeff how to cook. Every holiday she always cooked a feast for her loved ones.

She also loved bird watching. She had multiple bird feeders set up at home so she could watch the birds at the feeders. Each fall, Carole would often see hummingbirds come by the feeders. She loved to travel to historical landmarks and different state parks to be outdoors and see wildlife. Carole and Carl also loved going on weekly picnics at Standing Bear Lake together.

Carole was a fan of sports; though baseball and basketball were her favorites to watch either live or on the television. She especially loved rooting for the University of Illinois and watching Northern Iowa University, Iowa State University, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packers with Carl and Jeff. When going to eat, Carole’s favorite restaurants were Za’s Italian Café, Don and Millie’s, Brother Sebastian’s Steakhouse and Runza.

Her family and friends will remember Carole as being a truly dedicated and beloved mother, sister and friend. Anyone could count on her to lend a hand when it was needed.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Patterson, and parents, Glenn and Louise Wakefield. She is survived by her son, Jeff Patterson, and siblings, Richard and Marianne Wakefield.

Carole will be missed tremendously.