Dianne L. Patterson

MEDICINE LAKE — Memorial services for Dianne Lynne "Dee" Patterson will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 16, at Union Congregational Church in Medicine Lake, with Rev. Tim Hutslar officiating. Everyone is welcome to attend a "celebration of life" luncheon at the fire hall in Medicine Lake following the funeral service. In failing health since December, Dee died Friday afternoon, April 8, 2011, at Billings Clinic; she was 62. Born in Mahnomen, Minn., on March 1, 1949, Dee was the daughter of Gerald and Joyce Buschette. Dee graduated from Stillwater High School in Minnesota in 1967, and began work as a receptionist for Bob Olson Cadillac-Pontiac. Dee was every man's dream girl — attractive, vivacious, and loved to have a good time. She had an unusual, quirky sense of humor, and always loved a challenge — the bigger the better. She was a hard worker, whether cleaning houses with her sister or managing Trapper's Bar in Reserve. It was during this time that a young man named Dave Patterson came to town. Dave was the solid rock in Dee's life. They were married at the Eidsness Farm on Feb. 14, 1985. They eventually moved to Medicine Lake, where Dave was the manager of Trico Industries. Dee put her creative talents and lifelong love for antiques and other fine things to work when she opened her own Victorian-style store, "It's All About Me" out of her home. It was at this time when she became active with the Red Hat Society. She loved the Red Hat ladies that came to her store. She valued every customer who supported her. Dave and Dee also took on the enormous task of remodeling Buster Brenteson's house next door. They did a fantastic job and renamed it Buster's Bunk House, and rented to hunters. Although she nurtured her creativity all her life, not long ago Dee said she regretted not going on to school for design or photography. Dee loved music, especially Larry Gatlin and Elvis Presley. She was never happier than when she was tending her flower gardens wearing her straw hat. An avid reader, Dee was a regular patron of the Sheridan County Library. She said that the very happiest times of her life were when Travis was at home and she had a houseful of kids, and attending their Little League baseball games with them. Dee had her struggles that overwhelmed her at times, but she was a fighter! She cherished laughter in people and said she wanted to be remembered as "leaving them all smiling." Dee was greatly loved and will be greatly missed by all of her friends and family. Her battle has ended and her new life has begun as she rests in the loving arms of Jesus. Dee is survived by her husband, Dave Patterson of Medicine Lake; her daughter and son, Amy Tornio (Chris) of Dresser, Wis., and Travis Engstrom (Nikki Clingan) of Missoula; by Dave's children, Adrianne (Jon) MaComber, of Geraldine and Jeremy (Kelly) Smith of Bozeman; and by nine grandchildren, Jordan, Isaiah and Julianna Zacharias, Brooklyn, Derek, Jillian and Tyler MaComber, and Tyler and Bodie Smith. She is also survived by a brother, Steve Buschette (Sheila) of Billings and their children Katie Lynn and Spencer Steven; and by a sister, Valerie Abenroth (Les) of Plentywood. She is also survived by her goddaughter, Ashley Engstrom; and by special friends, Norma Paulson, Shelly Barry, Anna Snellman and numerous others. She was preceded in death by her father, Gerald Buschette; and by her mother, Joyce Donaldson. Fulkerson Funeral Home of Plentywood has charge of arrangements.