W. C. Swede Pattee
March 6, 1927 — May 19, 2007
William Clarence Pattee, the son of William J. and Alma W. Rock Pattee was born on March 6, 1927 in rural Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Swede grew up on the Rock ranch southeast of Hancock, Iowa. He attended country school and then graduated from Hancock High School in 1944.
Swede was in the Navy from 1945 to 1946. After he was discharged he worked at the Alfalfa Mill and for Avoca Implement. During those years he and his friend "Pash" rode their motorcycles and once toured the western states and through Canada. Later he was co-owner of Ford Tractor; later Stempel Implement.
On June 21, 1950 Swede was united in marriage to Norma J. Paulsen at the Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa. In 1962 they purchased the Doll Insurance Agency which became Pattee Insurance. After thirty-two years they retired from the business then Swede worked for FS and was a hail adjuster.
Norma and Swede then bought their RV and traveled yearly to Arizona and volunteered at the Tucson Open. He loved to fish and camp with their good friends Dave and Nancy. After his heart attack he discovered woodworking and sold his crafts at local shows and gave them as gifts. He also went a little "nutty" each fall picking out walnuts and delivering them to friends and family. He and Norma enjoyed the slots (penny) and were avid golfers. Swede shot the first hole-in-one at the Avoca Golf Course in 1975.
He was very active in community organizations. Swede was a long standing member of the Avoca Fire Department, Avoca Fair Board, Avoca Centennial Committee, Mt. Nebo Masonic Lodge, Abu Bekr Shrine (Harlan T-Patrol), Trinity Lutheran Church and was a sixty year member of the American Legion.
Swede died on Saturday, May 19, 2007 at Creighton Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska having attained the age of eighty years, two months and thirteen days. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers: Edward and Lavern.
Survivors include his wife Norma; his daughter Diane and her husband Steve Wendt and their children Christin and Roy of Denver, Colorado; his son Kurt Pattee and his children Nathan and Emily of Hancock, Iowa; his sister Arlene Davis of Hancock, Iowa; three brothers: Wallace Pattee and his wife Shirley of Shelby, Iowa; Donald Pattee and his wife Carol of Avoca, Iowa; Lawrence Pattee and his wife Lavina of Big Lake, Minnesota; many nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and many friends.
Memorial Services were held on Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 11:00 AM at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa with Pastor Dennis Reich as the clergy. Military Rites were held by the Fred Funston Post #227.
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Swede was in the Navy from 1945 to 1946. After he was discharged he worked at the Alfalfa Mill and for Avoca Implement. During those years he and his friend "Pash" rode their motorcycles and once toured the western states and through Canada. Later he was co-owner of Ford Tractor; later Stempel Implement.
On June 21, 1950 Swede was united in marriage to Norma J. Paulsen at the Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa. In 1962 they purchased the Doll Insurance Agency which became Pattee Insurance. After thirty-two years they retired from the business then Swede worked for FS and was a hail adjuster.
Norma and Swede then bought their RV and traveled yearly to Arizona and volunteered at the Tucson Open. He loved to fish and camp with their good friends Dave and Nancy. After his heart attack he discovered woodworking and sold his crafts at local shows and gave them as gifts. He also went a little "nutty" each fall picking out walnuts and delivering them to friends and family. He and Norma enjoyed the slots (penny) and were avid golfers. Swede shot the first hole-in-one at the Avoca Golf Course in 1975.
He was very active in community organizations. Swede was a long standing member of the Avoca Fire Department, Avoca Fair Board, Avoca Centennial Committee, Mt. Nebo Masonic Lodge, Abu Bekr Shrine (Harlan T-Patrol), Trinity Lutheran Church and was a sixty year member of the American Legion.
Swede died on Saturday, May 19, 2007 at Creighton Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska having attained the age of eighty years, two months and thirteen days. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers: Edward and Lavern.
Survivors include his wife Norma; his daughter Diane and her husband Steve Wendt and their children Christin and Roy of Denver, Colorado; his son Kurt Pattee and his children Nathan and Emily of Hancock, Iowa; his sister Arlene Davis of Hancock, Iowa; three brothers: Wallace Pattee and his wife Shirley of Shelby, Iowa; Donald Pattee and his wife Carol of Avoca, Iowa; Lawrence Pattee and his wife Lavina of Big Lake, Minnesota; many nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and many friends.
Memorial Services were held on Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 11:00 AM at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa with Pastor Dennis Reich as the clergy. Military Rites were held by the Fred Funston Post #227.
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