Gloria Ann Patterson

Gloria Patterson (née Winterstein) was born in Seattle, WA in the middle of the Great Depression before settling in Auburn, WA for her formative years. The daughter of a Lutheran Pastor and the second of 7 siblings, she spent her summers picking beans and berries. On her 21st birthday, she married her high school sweetheart, Larry Patterson. She obtained her RN from the University of Washington and became the head nurse of the small Ellensburg Hospital after working there only a short time. At age 22, she had her first child, Michele, and her second, Jeffrey, followed 2 years later. Always an adventurer, she and her family lived in San Jose, CA, Tacoma, WA, Salem, OR, and Bloomington, IL. She and her husband split their time between Washington and Singapore upon retirement, before moving to Antalya, Turkey, full-time. She returned to Washington in 2021 and spent the last 4 years of her life investing time in her family and friends. 

Gloria set an example for her family by teaching them to never give up, work hard, and always care for others, even when it was difficult to do so even in the face of requiring a high degree of personal sacrifice. She used her creativity to work through cultural challenges such as inventing delicious treats and recipes for those with specific dietary restrictions. As a master sewist, baker, and musician, Gloria shared her creative spark with her family by sewing costumes and wedding dresses, baking world class dinner rolls, and leading youth musicals. As a longtime Mariners fan, she also taught us all to never stop trying for glory despite ongoing disappointment. 

Gloria was also brave. When her husband died one year into their move to Turkey, Gloria stayed for 20 years by herself, becoming fluent in the language, and making innumerable Turkish friends. She also invested time in overlooked people throughout her life, helping incarcerated men and their families get a “fresh start”.  

Gloria taught us all how to live with joy and open heartedness. Gloria loved turning strangers into friends, attending and throwing parties, and moving to music. She turned the everyday into a celebration, and created her famous “un-birthday” parties to celebrate all her family members’ birthdays in one giant day if she could not attend their actual birthday.

Gloria and Larry adopted the biblical phrase “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” and serve they did. Gloria loved and followed Jesus and lived to see the fruit of her faithfulness in her Christ-loving family.

Gloria was preceded in death by her parents (The Rev. Ottomar and Clara Winterstein) and husband, Larry.  She is survived by her children Michele Kronlund (Scott) and Jeffrey “Jeff” Patterson (Rachel), siblings Lois Rolfe, Donald “Don” Winterstein, George “Dick” Winterstein, Carl “Rusty” Winterstein (Helen), Paul Winterstein (Boots), and James “Jim” Winterstein (Kathie), grandchildren Aaron Kronlund (Cydney), Mallory Kronlund (Jared), Katie Griffith (Stephen), Hannah Patterson, Jonathan Patterson, and Joshua Patterson (Lilly), and 4 great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Gloria’s family would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to the residents and staff at Wesley Bradley Park for their friendship and support as well as the entire MultiCare Good Samaritan Intensive Care Team who provided compassionate care to Gloria during her final days.

There will be a Celebration of Life at Wesley Bradley Park, 707 - 39th Ave SE, Puyallup, WA 98374, on Saturday, May 17th beginning at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Our Savior Lutheran Church Endowment-Missions, 4519 112th ST E, Tacoma, WA 98446 would be greatly appreciated.