Lynn Clinton Van Patter

Lynn Clinton Van Patter, of Phoenix, Arizona, died peacefully at home on April 9, 2026 following a years-long battle with breast cancer. She was 69-years-old. She will long be remembered for her boisterous, opinionated personality and her generous nature.

The eldest of four daughters, Lynn Marie Clinton was born on July 1, 1956 in Des Moines, Iowa to Philip and Drusilla Clinton. When she was six, her family moved to Riverside, California where she graduated from John North High School in 1974. Lynn’s first marriage in 1979 produced two daughters before ending in divorce. She married Mike Van Patter in 1992. Shortly after their marriage, Lynn and Mike moved with her daughters to the Phoenix area where she and Mike would have two more children.

After working in the Administrative office at the University of California at Riverside, Lynn went to work for Arizona State University when she moved to Phoenix. She worked in various administrative jobs during her 25-year tenure at ASU before retiring in 2020.

During her years in Phoenix, Lynn was active in various civic organizations including Guide Dogs for the Blind, the Arizona State Archery Association and, later, Gold Star Mothers West Phoenix Chapter. She and her daughter, Brandie, raised more than seven guide dog puppies during her time with the Guide Dogs organization. She was instrumental in establishing the Desert Sky Archery Association under the Arizona State Archery Association.

Lynn was invited to join the Gold Star Mothers after the death in 2011 of her daughter, Brandie, a Naval Petty Officer Third Class. The camaraderie of the women in this group brought Lynn great comfort and pleasure in years following Brandie’s death.

Lynn came from a large family and took great pride in her relationships with her family, by blood and by choice. She was a proud mother and happily shared stories about her children and their accomplishments. She was an enduring presence in her extended family’s life, often traveling back to California for special occasions. She was generous with her grandsons and great-nieces; never failing to buy a gift for holidays and birthdays.

In addition to her daughter, Brandie, Lynn is pre-deceased by her parents and her nephew, Cody. She is survived by her husband, Mike, daughters, Cyndie Stepp (Ben) of Litchfield Park and Skylar Klitscher (Jimmy) of Phoenix as well as son, Colt Van Patter (Mackenzie) of Rawlins, Wyoming. In addition, she is survived by grandsons, Hudson and Ryker Stepp, three sisters, Cathy Akers, LeAna Bui and Carol Smith, all of California, brothers-in-law, Marvin Van Patter of Phoenix and Phil Van Patter of Hastings, Nebraska, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Friends and Family are invited to an Open House in Celebration of Lynn at the Van Patter residence on Saturday, April 18th, 2:00-5:00.

In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to support The Department of Arizona’s American Gold Star Mothers. https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-celebrate-our-100-year-legacy-of-service