Thomas Patterson

Thomas Frank Patterson passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 18, 2012. His daughter Patrice preceded him in death in 1984. Thomas is survived by four children: Bruce Patterson, Thomas John Patterson (Lynda), Robert Patterson (Beth), and Tamolyn Benke (Steve); and eight grandchildren: Karoline, Katherine, Elaine, Amanda, Charlotte, Jayne, Henry, and James. Thomas was born in a log cabin on Pike Lake in Fifield, Wisconsin on February 9 in 1933. He attended a one-room school on Highway F just a few miles from his eventual home, then Minocqua High School, where he played football and graduated in 1951. He spent three years at Ripon College (Ripon, WI) where he spent time as a member of the rifle team and making lifelong friends. He then went on to attend the University of Montana where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Forestry. Shortly after, he was employed by Potlatch (a forest products company) in Lewiston, Idaho. He married Carolyn Myers on May 29, 1956 in Missoula, Montana. Soon after, Thomas returned to Minocqua, Wisconsin, where he worked for his father at Patterson Bros. Lumber. Eventually ownership passed to him and he continued to manage the company until his retirement in 2003, when he sold the business. Thomas loved traveling all over the world with his wife Carolyn. Destinations included Alaska, Italy, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Mexico, the Bahamas, as well as the homes of his children and grandchildren in Europe and the United States. He loved visiting his family just as much as seeing the world, attending the events and milestones in the lives of his grandchildren in Florida, Minnesota, and Wisconsin as often as he could. Tom was a loving father and husband as well as a driven businessman. An avid hunter, he enjoyed spending time with his friends and family at the hunting camp in the fall. Tom was also very active in the Minocqua and Lac du Flambeau communities. He was President for life of the Jolly Jocks Social Club and a member of the Flambeau Lions Club. Tom also served as President on the Lac du Flambeau Grade School Board. He was an active member of the Rotary Club, earning the title "Paul Harris Fellow" twice and serving as President for a time within the organization. Tom was also a Master Mason and a member of the Tripoli Shrine and the Wisconsin Scottish Rite. In addition, he sat on the Board for the Community Presbyterian Church and was a Little League Umpire. In lieu of flowers and memorials, please address to 1157 Patterson Lane, Minocqua, WI 54548.

Thomas Patterson

February 9, 1933 - September 18, 2012