Ruby Seyfried Patterson

OKEMOS- Beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and volunteer, died January, 10 of Alzheimer’s Disease. She was the third daughter of Ernest and Gladys Seyfried, born at home on March 11, 1936, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As a child, she was taught how to bake and sew, and loved singing at various events with her two older sisters, Elaine and Velma Jean. The three of them called themselves the “Seyfried Sisters Trio.” She graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1954.

As a young wife and mother, Ruby travelled throughout the US and to other countries, helping her first husband, Jim Forshee, make travelogue films and lectures, which was the family’s livelihood. She was devoted to her children, Ann and John. She was their room mother, Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout leader, and cheered from the bleachers, all day, at wrestling matches and track meets.

In addition to her children, Ruby was passionate about many things: Her creations of counted cross stitch samplers, basket weaving, and sewing quilts for every family member; feeding the birds; genealogy, writing two books about family; ballroom dancing with her husband, Morrel “Bud” Patterson; singing with the extended Patterson family, especially old gospels; and volunteering, most recently at the Museum of Appalachia, where she sat in front of Mark Twain’s family cabin, and demonstrated hand quilting, in period clothing.

Through 11 years of Alzheimer’s, Ruby’s essense was never lost. Even when she no longer knew anyone’s name, she was still the spirited, independent, hand-holding woman, she’d always been. She always put others first, and welcomed everyone into a hug. Ruby spent her last five years at Bickford of Okemos where she was treated with respect and kindness.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Elaine Klinske, and her stepson, Randy Patterson. Those left to remember her are: her husband, Morrel Patterson; her sister, Velma Jean (Don) Jeffery; her children, Ann (Gerald) Crane, and John Forshee; her stepchildren, Dan (Jeanne) Patterson; Brenda (James) Ricketts, Vickie Patterson, and Morrell “Jimmy” Patterson; her grandchildren, Jeremy (Allison Peters) Crane, Emily (Marshall) Mack, Sarah (Chris) Conn, Benjamin Crane, and Abby (Aaron Vance) Crane; her bonus grandchildren, Rachel (George) Kroslak, Bethany (Rene) Dupont, Jessica (Trent) Pinyan, Danielle (Dan) Strawder, Pye (Cody) Miller, Chris (Amy) Taykowski, Jacob (Alexandra) Roberts, David Kemeter, Jonathan (Sean) Ricketts, Kristen Sharon, and Joshua Brandt; and her 10 great grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements were made by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, East Lansing. A memorial will be held, Sunday, May 29, 4:00 p.m., Central Park, Okemos.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greastlansing.com