Velma C. Patterson

Resident of Costa Mesa, California from 1922 until September 28, 2010. Born in Orange, California on February 4, 1911. Velma lived in her Grandmother's boarding house, The Depot Park House in Orange, California from her birth until she moved to the corner of 22nd Street and Santa Ana Avenue in the town of Harper, which is now Costa Mesa, where she resided until her death. She attended Costa Mesa Grammar School and Lathrop Intermediate School in Santa Ana. She was a child of the Depression and left school to help support her 5 younger brothers and sisters. Velma worked as a domestic for the Aldrich Family on Bay Island. During her married years she lovingly raised her children and grandchildren, enjoyed gardening, baking and sewing. She loved traveling to Baja California with her husband Earl. Velma loved history,especially Orange County History. She was the oldest living member of The Native Daughters of the Golden West, Grace Parlor 242, and a member of the Costa Mesa Historical Society and the Orange County Historical Society.

She was predeceased by her husband Earl L. Patterson Sr. and her son Earl L. Patterson Jr. She is survived by her children Joan Berger (Ted) of Sebastopol, CA, Melvin Patterson(Jeanette) of Laguna Niguel, CA, Carol Wegner (Mark) of Santa Rosa, CA, 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Services are being handled by Pacific View Memorial Park, 3500 Pacific View Dr., Monday, October 4, 2010 at 2:00 pm. Memorial Donations can be made to St. Michael Hospice, 12631 E. Imperial Hwy Ste. F-134, Santa Fe Springs, CA who lovingly cared for her in during her final months.

The first child of John and Anna Eisman, Velma, was born on February 4, 1911 in her grandmother’s boarding house on Atchison Street in Orange, California. Her father’s family had moved to Orange from Lafayette County, Missouri in 1900 while her mother had come to California from Minnesota with her brother, Fred, in 1904. As a young girl, Velma was the apple of her grandmother’s eye, frequently helping out in the boarding house kitchen and running errands to the bakery and overseeing the vegetable cart. Her father worked as a painting contractor and her mother helped Grandma with the boarding house. Grandpa Willhelm Gearhardt Eismann died from severe injuries caused by an accident when Velma was less than one year old.

Velma C. Patterson Biography

The first child of John and Anna Eisman, Velma, was born on February 4, 1911 in her grandmother’s boarding house on Atchison Street in Orange, California. Her father’s family had moved to Orange from Lafayette County, Missouri in 1900 while her mother had come to California from Minnesota with her brother, Fred, in 1904. As a young girl, Velma was the apple of her grandmother’s eye, frequently helping out in the boarding house kitchen and running errands to the bakery and overseeing the vegetable cart. Her father worked as a painting contractor and her mother helped Grandma with the boarding house. Grandpa Willhelm Gearhardt Eismann died from severe injuries caused by an accident when Velma was less than one year old.

Velma’s first sibling, Lily, was born in 1912, followed by William, in 1914, Elizabeth, in 1916, Arthur, in 1917 and Ruth in 1919. A fourth sister Margaret, was born in 1921, but sadly died at birth. Velma began school in Mrs. Whipple’s kindergarten class in 1916, she was an excellent student who loved attending school.

In 1922, the Eisman's sold the Depot Park Hotel and purchased five acres in Harper, now Costa Mesa, where they began to grow apples. As a young girl, Velma attended Harper school and Julia Lathrop Junior High School in Santa Ana. Before finishing the 8th grade she quit school to help her mother with the housework and the younger children. Her Grandmother's death in 1929, followed by the onset of the Great Depression hit the family very hard.

Velma went to work, in the late 1920’s as a housekeeper for the Aldrich family who lived on Bay Island in Newport Beach. She would bring the wages home to her Mother, who pooled it with whatever her father and brothers brought in working as dory fisherman.

She met her future husband Earl Patterson, who as a young man, started the Newport Dairy on 22nd Street opposite the Eisman’s orchard in 1926.

Velma's first child Earl Leroy Patterson Junior was born in April of 1931. She continued to work at the Aldrich house while her mother watched the baby. In September, 1939 their first daughter Joan was born, and her beloved father, John, passed away the same year. Earl and Velma were living in a tiny house on the south east corner of the dairy that had been converted from a chicken coop. Shortly thereafter, Earl’s National Guard Unit was assigned to Hawaii to help build up the defenses of Pearl Harbor. He was discharged in 1941, coming home shortly before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

The family moved to a new home directly across the street from John Eisman’s smoke house at 288 22nd Street in the early 1940's. Velma’s second son, Melvin, was born shortly thereafter. Earl left the dairy business and was fishing, painting and remodeling to make ends meet. He was well-established as a painting contractor by the end of World War II. In 1947, Earl began planning and designing a new home on the corner of the former Newport Dairy property.

The post WW II period brought great prosperity to the beach area. Earl had expanded his contracting business and began building custom homes, subdividing property belonging to the Patterson's and Eisman's. On Velma’s birthday in 1950, the Patterson family moved into their newly built home. The arrival of a second daughter, Carol, in 1954 brought an unexpected excitement into Velma’s life. The family continued to grow with the marriages of Sonny (Earl Jr.) and Joan, and the arrival of the first grandchildren in the 1950's. Velma and Earl enjoyed frequent trips to Mexico which became a regular ritual, acquiring a trailer and cabana at San Antonio Del Mar in Baja California.

Velma’s life began to slow down in the 1970's and become centered around her home in Costa Mesa. Earl was ill and they were no longer able to travel. Sunday gatherings of the entire family at her house became a weekly highlight. Carol’s marriage in 1976 marked the last of Velma’s children leaving the nest.

Following Earl's death in 1976, Velma enjoyed taking the trip she and Earl dreamed of to Alaska. She also traveled with her children to Hawaii, Minnesota, Northern California and Oregon. She always looked forward to her trips to play the slots in Laughlin. Velma was a member of the Native Daughters of the Golden West for about 60 years, her primary interest being in the history of Orange County, particularly Newport Beach and Costa Mesa.

Velma continued to live independently with her grandsons Rob Wegner and Mike Berger, who lovingly cared for her. In January 2010, Velma's health began to decline. This past July, Velma finally left “her corner” and moved into board and care home.

Velma passed away 126 days (just shy) of her 100th birthday.

– The Patterson Family