Sandra K Patterson

Sandra Kay Patterson, age 78, of St. Francis, KS passed away quietly on Monday morning, November 1, 2021 at the Cheyenne County Village in St. Francis.

Sandy was born August 2, 1943 to parents Robert Maurice and Virginia Constance (Amen) Frasier in Wahoo, NE.  Siblings Bill and Marianne welcomed her home and Kenny joined the family later.  The family moved to McCook, NE when Sandy was young.  In her youth, Sandy enjoyed tap dancing and ballet, and she was a baton twirler. Sandy was confirmed and baptized at St. Albans Episcopal Church in McCook.

Sandy left school at the age of sixteen to marry William Joseph Nitsch on July 23, 1960.  They lived in McCook for a short time before moving to the family farm east of Hayes Center, NE. Sandy became a farm wife, teaching herself to sew and garden.  She made most of her family’s clothes over the years.  On May 6, 1961, a daughter, Debra Sue was welcomed into the home.  Three years later, on November 5, 1964, their son Michael Carl completed the family.  Sandy was the neighborhood hairdresser and did several of the neighbor ladies’ hair on a regular basis.

In 1974, the family moved into Hayes Center where Sandy continued growing a large garden.  She worked at Scott’s IGA and at the café/bar for several years. Sandy and Joe later divorced.

On January 13, 1987, Sandy married Gerald L. “Jerry” Patterson.  The couple lived in Hayes Center and Haigler, NE during their marriage, and spent many years traveling the country together in the semi.  She beat lung cancer in 2010 after several rounds of chemo.  After Jerry passed away, Sandy spent her time visiting with friends, doing many word searches, and watching oldies on tv.  She suffered a stroke in September of 2017 which left her with difficulties walking and moved to St Francis KS to live with her daughter.  She truly enjoyed spending time with family that came to visit, especially the great grandkids.  Gigi happily played silly games like Pie Face with them several times.

Earlier this year a mass was found in her left lung and she stated she didn’t want to know if it was cancer or not because she wouldn’t do any more chemo.  Mike spent a week with her in July and she was admitted to the Cheyenne County Village in early August due to failing health.  She was placed under Hospice care in early October.

Sandy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jerry Patterson; and her older siblings, Bill (Barb) Frasier and Marianne Stephens.

Those left to celebrate her life include her two children, Debra Gohl of St. Francis and Mike (Jan) Nitsch of Arapahoe, NE; step daughter, Diane (Allen) Kurth of Colby, KS; brother, Kenny Frasier of Kearney, NE; six grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; a host of friends and her loving fur baby, Tinker.