Alice Ruth Wilson McArtor Patterson

Alice Ruth Wilson McArtor Patterson

Keota

Alice Ruth Wilson McArtor Patterson, age 101 years 255 days, of Keota, Iowa, was born July 1, 1924, at Washington, Iowa, to Hubert Leroy and Minetta (Tracy) Wilson. She passed away in her home surrounded by family on March 13, 2026. Alice was a very loving mother of 11 children and 2 stepsons, grandmother to 56 grandchildren, 116 great-grandchildren, 77 great-great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Alice was a stay-at-home mom. She went to school to the 8th grade. She was famous for her popcorn balls at Halloween by many generations in a family. Her homemade sugar cookies were a favorite. Alice made cookies to send to her 5 sons while they were in the military. She was a great cook. Alice was a member of the Moose Lodge the Ladies VFW Auxiliary of Keota, and a Girl Scout leader. She also owned Alice’s Craft Hobbies & was a Watkins dealer, she set up at many craft shows. In her spare time she did laundry and ironing for other people in town. She cleaned the funeral home for several years. She made memories for all the family by making home-made Christmas ornaments, which we still put on our Christmas trees. She always sent out Birthday cards, get-well cards, anniversary cards and thank-you cards to always brighten up others’ days. She made her annual Christmas candy trays that she shared with neighbors, special Valentine cake, Missionary cake in the shape of a Christmas tree, and Christmas coffee cakes. She held her annual Easter egg hunt for ages 0-60. She taught her children and other people how to can food for those winter days. She was a special mother and grandmother to many in the community including Bruce and Lorraine Hardt and family, Kathy Ewald, and spread her love and kindness throughout Keota.

Alice was married to Walter Everett McArtor July 31, 1940 they had 4 sons, Walter, Donald, Hubert and David McArtor, later divorced and married Homer Edward (Pat) Patterson in Kahoka Mo. on May 25, 1947. They had 7 children, Sandra, William, John, Dennis, Susan, Linda and Mary.

Survivors include 5 sons, Donald (Sandi) McArtor of Cedar Rapids, Hubert McArtor of Knoxville, TN, David (Judy) McArtor of West Chester, William (Linda) Patterson of Oxford, John (Penny) Patterson of Washington; 3 daughters, Sandra Shafer of West Chester, Susan (Michael) McDonald of Keota, Mary (James) Long of South English; 1 stepson Jerry Patterson, 1 daughter-in law Claretta McArtor of East Moline, IL, 1 brother Joseph (Setsuko) Wilson of Palo, IL, 1 sister-in-law Lucky Wilson of Fox Lake, IL; and many, many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Hubert and Minetta Wilson, 4 brothers Hubert, Frederick, Charles and Bobby, 2 sisters Gladys and Violet, 2 husbands Walter Everett McArtor 1991 and Homer Edward Patterson 1989, 2 sons Dennis Alan in 1978, Walter in 2009, daughter Linda Sanders in 2024, 1 stepson Junior Edward Patterson in 2016, sons-in-law Kenwood Sanders 2014, Don Shafer 2016, Wayne Chalupa 2021, daughters-in-law Cheryl McArtor 2025 and Shirley Patterson 2026, 1 sister-in-law Rose Wilson Mahoney 2024, grandchildren Cindy Patterson 1961, Steven Long 1986, Eddie Patterson 1993, Cindy Chalupa 2006, James Long 2006, Jeff Chalupa 2020, Joe Chalupa 2023, Michael McArtor 2023, Blain Petersen 2025, great-grandchildren Lily Null 2015, and Cody McArtor 1990.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Powell Funeral Home in Keota, with Pastor Doug Tinnes officiating. Burial will be at Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the funeral home.

A general memorial has been established. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for Alice and her family. Tributes may be made at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.