Article Image Alt Text

Jean Audrey Ruud Roppe Patterson

Jean Audrey Ruud Roppe Patterson passed away on Sunday, Feb 24, 2019 at 7:17 at Pioneer Memorial Care Center at the age of 83. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Alex Amiot Officiating. Burial will be held at Huntly Cemetery later in the Spring. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 1, 2019 from 5 – 8 PM with a 7:00 prayer service at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN and also one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Jean was born June 26, 1935 to Johnny and Vivian Ruud of Gatzke, MN. She was their first born, and in 1938 sister Darlene Joyce was born. And in 1955 brother Russell Allen was born. Jean attended school in Viking, Minn. and later Middle River, Minn. At an early age Jean took to music and learned how to play a variety of instruments well by ear, including guitar, piano and accordion. When she met her first husband Mervin Roppe, he also loved to play music, so together they would play for family, friends and dances. Mervin and Jean were married on November 11, 1950. From that marriage they had three children, Naomi, Bonita and Leland. They started married life on the Roppe Farm in Strathcona, Minn. but a few years after Naomi was born they moved down to Minneapolis as finding jobs were easier and farming wasn’t what Mervin really wanted to do. Jean was a homemaker until all of their children were in school, at which time Jean got a job in the Minneapolis school system as a paraprofessional. She worked in that field until she retired in 1994. After a lengthy illness, Mervin passed away in 1993. Jean decided to retire, sold their Mounds View home, and returned to her Northern roots, moving to Newfolden, Minn. After returning North, Jean reconnected with her good friend Jeanette Mayer’s brother, Walter Laverne Patterson, at a dance in 1997. They courted and married on May 23, 1998, and made their home in Newfolden. Jean is survived by her children Naomi (Pat) Bliss of Hinckley, Minn, Bonita (Dale) Wojtowicz of Mounds View, Minn., and Leland (Danyce) Roppe of Champlin, Minn.; grandchildren Martina (Brian) Caudill of Winchester, Tenn., Kimberly (Robb) Farley of Coon Rapids, Minn., Gentell (Troy) Hanson of Now Then, Minn., Erin (John) Pelletier of Elk River, Minn., David Roppe (partner Amy Gerten) of Lino Lakes, Minn., and Jonas Wojtowicz (fiancé Kristin) of Oak Grove, Minn.; great-grandchilden Braydon Holzinger, Cassidy Wolcenski, Colby Suchla, Andrew Gerten, Samantha Gerten, Alexis Roppe, Hunter Wolcenski, Mason Hanson, Payton Hanson, Marshall Farley, and Manning Farley; brother Russell Ruud of Florida, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends, including close friend Marlene Danielson. Upon marrying Walter, Jean inherited more family. Her stepchildren are Zelda Patterson of Duluth, Minn., Jeff Patterson (Linda) of Virginia, Minn., Jenny Tillotson (Mike of Cook, Minn. and Sheila Manthey (Dave) of Roseau, Minn.; step-grandchildren Christopher (Andrea) Blauert, Kelsey Cherne, Jason (April) Patterson, Sarah (Matt) Clark, Scott Patterson (Jessica), Seth (Jackie) Tillotson, Amanda (Jesse) Froseth, Dillon Manthey; step-great-grandchildren Murphy, Theodore, Maggie, Noah, Brantley, Cooper, Makenzie, Annika, Kaelynn, and Grace. She is preceded in death by her first husband Mervin, parents Johnnie and Vivian, sister Darlene Swagger, much loved aunts and uncles, and other close family and friends.

The Middle River Honker

655 2nd St. North
Middle River, MN 56737-4136
(218) 222-3501