Randall H. Patton

Randall "Randy / Ran" H. Patton, age 92, of Spicer, passed away Saturday afternoon, March 2, at the Clara City Care Center.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. followed by the celebration of life service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, at Vinje Lutheran Church.  A private interment will be held at Oakside Cemetery in Marine on St. Croix.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to CentraCare Rice Hospice, Willmar Area Food Shelf or Vinje Lutheran Church are preferred.  Arrangements are entrusted to the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Randy was born on October 18, 1931, in Hammond, Indiana, the son of Hillard and Marian (Houser) Patton.  He grew up in the community of Marine on St. Croix and graduated from Stillwater High School in 1949.  From 1950-1954. he served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.  Randy was united in marriage on April 25, 1953, to his high school sweetheart, Janet Walquist.  He continued his education in college, earning his AA and BS degrees at the University of Minnesota, MA degree at Bemidji State University and completed additional Graduate work at the University of Minnesota.  Randy and Janet lived in the communities in which he was employed.  Randy began his teaching career in 1957 with the Cambridge School District. He then worked as a High School Principal in the Mentor and Graceville School Districts prior to becoming the Superintendent in the Marshall, Wabasha, Long Prairie, Crookston and Litchfield School Districts.  Randy retired after 30 years of service in the Minnesota Public Schools in 1998.  During his postretirement, Randy continued to work as a substitute teacher in the school districts of Litchfield, Willmar, New London-Spicer and Raymond.  He later served as an interim superintendent in the school districts of Paynesville, Rocori, New London-Spicer, Rush City, Braham and Atwater-Grove City.  On January 28, 2003, Janet passed away.  On February 21, 2004, Randy was united in marriage to Mary Jo Schmidt (Swanson) and they made their home near Spicer on George Lake.  Randy lived an active lifestyle.  He enjoyed being outdoors hiking, sailing, snow shoeing, canoeing and traveling.  He especially enjoyed showing all his interests to those he loved.  Randy was a member of Vinje Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his second wife, Mary Jo Patton of Spicer; his four children, Brian (and Laurie) Patton of Plymouth, Vicki (and Terry) Dudycha of Carbondale, CO., Craig (and Kelly) Patton of Orting, WA., and Colleen (and Kevin) O'Brien of Amery, WI.; twelve grandchildren and two great grandchildren.  Also surviving are six stepchildren, Brad (and Cheryl) Schmidt of Willmar, Paul (and Bev) Schmidt of Eagan, Jeff (and Berit Nelson) Schmidt of St. Paul, Mark (and Sue) Schmidt of Eagan, Nancy (and Jeff) Schuler of St. Bonifacius, and Meg (and Joe) Beausoleil of Carrollton, TX.; seventeen step grandchildren and three step great grandchildren, besides many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Janet; one sister, Valri Roeben, and an infant daughter, Carol.