John Page Patterson
October 24, 1937 - July 02, 2016
Obituary
BEAVER DAM-John Page Patterson, age 78, of Beaver Dam, Wis., passed away on Saturday, July 2, 2016, at St. Mary's Care Center in Madison. He was born Oct. 24, 1937, in Monticello, Wis., to Parker Page and Mildred (Holdrich) Patterson. After the family moved to the family farm near Brooklyn, Wis., John attended Doyle School, graduating from Brooklyn High School in 1955, earning a scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. He received his Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from UW-Whitewater in 1959. John graduated with Highest Honors and was selected by faculty to represent his college in "Who's Who in America's Colleges and Universities." He began his teaching career at Brodhead High School. John taught for one year in Brodhead and decided to attend graduate school. John then earned his Master of Fine Arts from the University of Wyoming. While at the University of Wyoming, he was a Woodrow Wilson Scholarship recipient and wrote his master's thesis on Shakespeare's King Lear. Moving back to Wisconsin, John went on to teach at Madison West High School, Wauwatosa West High School, Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis., and Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, Wis. He taught at Wayland for 32 years until his retirement. While at Wayland he served as the English Department Chair and held the endowed Proctor Chair in English. John enjoyed reading, movies, The American Players Theater of Spring Green, Wis., singing in his church choir, Beaver Dam Community Theater, and taught a writers group at the Beaver Dam Senior Center. John was proud of his English and Swiss Background. He took many trips to trace his genealogy. John is survived by his nieces, Cindy Baumgartner of Plainfield, Laurie Pinnow of Brodhead and Lisa Schlesner of Pontiac, Ill.; sister-in-law, Jean Patterson of Brooklyn; great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister and brother-in-law, Janice (Milton) Baumgartner; and a brother, Floyd Lee Patterson. John requested that no funeral services be held. Burial will be at the Mt. Hope Cemetery, Brooklyn, Wis. at a later date. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608)221-5420
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Memories
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Tracy Salisbury(Schmidt)
Other •
I lived next door to Mr. Patterson for most of my childhood. I remember him always being so friendly with my brother and I. Even though there was sort of a fence that separated the yards he didn't mind if we went into his yard for whatever reason. He was always one of the nicest in the neighborhood. My deepest condolences go out to the family.
Tracy Salisbury(Schmidt)
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Elaine Koehn
Other •
I knew John through being an a Wayland Alumina and sang in the choir with him. We always shared memories of Wayland. He was very proud of having John Patterson Way for a year on the circle drive at Wayland.
Elaine Koehn
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PATRICIA L. FRINAK
Other •
Mr. Patterson was the BEST English teacher I had while at Wayland. I often read the paper or listen to broadcasters, and ask myself, "Did they not learn proper English!?" He was one the best teachers Wayland ever had, and I was so lucky to have been one of his many pupils. And I never knew he was a Wisconsin native! I extend my sincere sympathy to your family.
Pat Frinak (Class of '73)