Norma Johnson Patterson

October 17, 1925 ~ April 27, 2020

Norma Johnson Patterson, 94, of Blanding, returned to her Heavenly Father April 27, 2020. Norma was born October 17, 1925 in Blanding to Glen R. Johnson and Margaret Ellen Palmer Johnson.

Her family lived west of Cortez, CO on a farm until Norma was 15 years old. During this time, two more brothers and sisters joined the family.

Norma attended San Juan High and graduated in May 1943. She was a baton twirler and cheerleader at San Juan High.

Norma married Lee R. Patterson on April 26, 1944 while he was home on leave from the United States Navy. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 7, 1946.

Lee and Norma made a temporary home in northern Idaho. He left Norma in their rented room and returned to the Navy Base.

She spent some time working in Salt Lake City while Lee was serving in the Navy. Norma had several different jobs – one was running a manually operated elevator in a department store.

Lee was shipped to the Philippines, and Norma returned to Blanding to stay with her parents and await the birth of their first child.

Lee was honorably discharged from the Navy in January 1946 and returned to Blanding to be with Norma and his three-month-old daughter. They found a small apartment and settled into family life.

In 1947, Norma’s brother Keith and her dad began building the home on 100 West 400 North, where they resided until they were back to Heavenly Home.

Norma began working at Parley Redd Mercantile in 1965 as a cashier. She thoroughly enjoyed this job and being a part of the “store” family. She made many great friends with her shy, sweet personality.

Norma retired in May 1977 to help care for her father, who was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed in November 1977. Then she spent the next 10 years helping care for her mother, who had failing health.

She spent a lot of time crocheting, knitting afghans for grandchildren’s high school graduations and family members during this time.

After Norma’s mom passed in June 1987, she and Lee started traveling and camping. They saw a lot of Alaska and Canada, and went up the Oregon coast several times to visit some of the kids. They saw and did a lot together.

Family was everything to Norma. The family has beautiful, fond memories of Johnson, Palmer, and Patterson family reunions. Norma was the last member of her family (Johnson) to be called home.

One of her favorite things was to gather the wood supply for winter. She could use an axe as well as any of the guys until the last few years.

She could stack wood so meticulously that there were no spaces left. It was like a jigsaw puzzle, finding just the right piece for the right space.

Family was her life. She dearly loved family get togethers, cookouts, etc.

Lee and Norma raised five children: LeeAnna Fennell Wareham (George), Glen T. Patterson (Gloria), Lynn J. Patterson (Linda), Lance K. (deceased), and Forrest D. Patterson (Sherrie). They were blessed with 17 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Due to COVID-19, a graveside service was held at the Blanding City Cemetery on Friday, May 1.