Mary Lou Patterson

Mary Lou Patterson passed away peacefully in the Bitterroot Valley March 12, 2020. She was born in Miles City, MT February 7, 1959 to James Merle Patterson and Patricia Ann Patterson. Her family then relocated to Coeur d’Alene, ID.



Her father was a career Army soldier, later becoming a Green Beret, which Mary Lou was so proud of. While she moved around the United States, Coeur d’Alene was always her home.



Mary Lou always had a passion for animals. Whether it be dogs, cats or a pet rat, but her favorite animal was her horse “Bo”. She spent the majority of her time with Bo at horse shows and rodeos. She also had a love and passion for art and was a very talented artist in all formats.



Mary Lou graduated High School and took life head on. She worked various jobs, including dog grooming, but later moved to Billings, MT where she spent 15 years as a Highway Patrol Dispatcher. There she received awards for her professionalism and excellence. She relocated to the Anaconda area working for the State Hospital and then relocated to Arizona. Realizing her love for Montana she moved back.



She loved the outdoors, horses, community services, and always gave more than a smile as she would often offer a jacket, money, or assistance to somebody that needed it.



Mary Lou often joked with her mother that if she were to pass, she wanted to meet mother’s father, Charley, and Abe Lincoln.



An obituary cannot explain her beauty, accomplishments, talents, and warmth as a daughter and a sister, but she is now at peace in Heaven and has the wings of an angel.



Mary Lou is preceded in death by her father James Patterson, Aunt Mary Lou Schelgel, Uncle Chuck Schelgel, and Uncle Robert Lester. She is survived by her mother Patricia Patterson and brother Robert Patterson of Anaconda, MT; Aunt Shirley Lester of Gig Harbor, WA; cousins Charley, Mike, and John Schelgel of Bozeman, MT; her soul sister Gina Bausch and her daughter she never had Hannah Franklin of Bozeman, MT; and cousins Robert and Jeff Lester of WA.



In lieu of flowers donations are suggested to local animal shelters.



A Celebration of Mary Lou’s Life will be announced at a later date.