Robert M. Patterson

Robert M. ‘Bob’ Patterson

1922 – 2024

BATTLE CREEK AND IDA GROVE - Robert M. “Bob” Patterson, 102, of Battle Creek and Ida Grove, passed away on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, at the Willow Dale Wellness Village of Battle Creek.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, with a Visitation held one hour prior from 1-2  p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek. Rev. Dr. Jim Edwards will officiate.

Committal Services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in the Fremont Cemetery of Osceola, Iowa. Military Rites will be conducted by the Iowa Military Honor Guard.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Homes of Battle Creek and Ida Grove will be in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Robert M. “Bob” Patterson, the son of Thomas and Blanche (Lowe) Patterson, was born on Sep. 17, 1922, on the family farm in Osceola, Clarke Co., Iowa. 

Robert was a teacher at the Mud Sock School in rural Clarke County for two years before being drafted into the United States Army in February of 1943. On May 23, 1944, he graduated from flight school in Pecos, Texas. Robert left for overseas active duty in November of 1944. He proudly served his country in the 4th Combat Cargo Group; 14th Combat Cargo Squadron of the Army Air Forces. Robert flew a plane similar to the B 29, a Curtiss C-46 cargo plane carrying octane gasoline for the Flying Tigers. He piloted numerous trips over the hump, which was a dangerous route over the eastern Himalaya Mountains. Robert returned to the U.S. in November of 1945. He was honorably discharged with the rank of First Lieutenant on Jan. 1, 1946.

After being discharged from the Army, Robert became interested in the funeral service industry after he stayed and worked at the Erin Kroll Funeral Home of Storm Lake, while he attended Buena Vista College. This interest led him to further his education in mortuary science and he graduated from Cincinnati College of Embalming in 1950. Robert returned to Stuart, Iowa, where he served his apprenticeship under the Glenn Bufkin Funeral Home. 

While Robert was employed at Bufkin Funeral Home in Stuart, he met the love of his life Norma Shaw. The couple became engaged and were united in marriage on June 16, 1952, in Storm Lake. Shortly thereafter Robert became employed as a licensed mortician with Christensen Funeral Homes of Battle Creek and Ida Grove, and the couple made their first home in Battle Creek. At the time, the Christensens also operated an on-call ambulance service, and the couple often made numerous late-night trips crisscrossing the state together. They purchased the funeral homes in 1972 and eventually moved their residence to Ida Grove in 1976.


Robert and Norma retired from the funeral business in 1988 and built a beautiful new retirement home in Ida Grove. They traveled significantly, often with friends, taking many enjoyable trips to places they had only dreamt about during their busy working years. 

A devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Robert served as an Elder and on the board of Trustees. He was active in Bible study and enjoyed taking tickets at the annual First Presbyterian Harvest Turkey Dinner. In their younger years, Robert and Norma also served as youth group leaders. 

Robert was an 80-year-old Mason. He was Initiated, Passed, and Raised in June of 1944 at Osceola Lodge #77 A.F. & A.M. of Osceola, Iowa. Robert was also a member of Perseverance Lodge #446 A.F. & A.M. of Battle Creek, Iowa, which merged and is now Alpine Lodge #471 A.F. & A.M. of Holstein, Iowa. 

In his later years, Robert enjoyed playing cribbage and good conversation over coffee with friends. 

Survivors include many nieces, nephews, their families, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Norma Patterson; parents Thomas and Blanche Patterson; and brother Lester (Connie) Patterson.