Clara Belle Patterson

Clara Belle Thurlow Patterson was born at home on 6/28/1941 in Stuart, NE to Norton and Beulah Thurlow. The oldest of four children growing up on a farm, she attended a one room schoolhouse, played the saxophone, graduated from Atkinson Public High School and was crowned O’Neill’s Hay Queen in 1958. She later moved to Omaha, NE, where she met and fell in love with James L. Patterson, Sr. They were married for 59 years and together raised four children.



Clara Belle was a lover of people, conversation, playing cards, square dancing, fishing, gardening, and camping. She was a devoted mother and wife, and always had a ready smile and extra place at the table. She worked at Blessed Sacrament School, Parkside Baptist Church, and St. Elizabeth Ann as an administrative assistant, later working at Loziers and owning several Blimpies before retiring.



Clara Belle was a hard worker, a natural optimist, and the luckiest card player sitting at the table. Her infectious laugh, twinkling eyes, helpful hands, and kind-hearted nature will be forever missed by those fortunate enough to know her. Clara Belle is survived by her husband, James L. Sr., their children James L. Jr., Richard, all of Omaha; Deborah (Brendan) Wiechert, Spokane, WA; and Michelle (Peter) Hindman, Lawrence, KS. Also surviving are 6 grandchildren, and sisters Marjorie Mathers, Mt. Vernon, SD and Robette Wilson, Gering, NE. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Donald, and infant son, David.



Viewing and rosary will be at John A. Gentleman Mortuary 1010 N. 72nd St on 4/22/22 at 5:00 pm.



Funeral will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Church 5419 N. 114th St on 4/23/22 at 10:00 am..



The family requests charitable contributions in memory of Clara Belle Patterson be made to the Brain Support Network, PO Box 7264, Menlo Park, CA 94026, www.brainsupportnetwork.org. or Saunders Long Term Care Center https://saundersmedicalcenter.com/nursing-home/why-smc/nursing-home.html