Rachel Ann Dinsmore Patterson was born November 6, 1927, to Adele (Regnier) and Ellis Dinsmore, at the family farm near Twin Mounds in rural Cloud County. She attended school in a rural schoolhouse and then Miltonvale Wesleyan College. After a fire destroyed the family home, they moved to a farmstead in the Idana area.
On March 11, 1947, she married Nolan John Patterson, and together they farmed on the home place in Northern Clay County. They raised 2 children, Scott Nolan and Pamela Ann.
Rachel was active in Avanti Club of Morganville, As-you-Ares, and the 1st Presbyterian Church, serving as deacon. After they retired and moved to Clay Center, she became active in NEA and several bridge clubs.
She went home to the Lord on July 4, 2026. Rachel was preceded in death by her husband, Nolan; her parents, Adele and Ellis; and her sister and brother-in-law, Margaret & Wes Norgaard.
Rachel is survived by her children, Scott (Lyn) Patterson and Pam (Jim) Wenger; 3 grandchildren, Julie (Ken) Hughes, Jeremy (Krissy) Patterson, Patrick (Natalie) Wenger; 10 great grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren, and 3 nieces and 2 nephews.
Respect calls will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, July 10, at Neill-Schensen-Rook Funeral Home in Clay Center.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 11, at the 1st Presbyterian Church in Clay Center.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the 1st Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Covenant Church or the Clay Center Zoo, and sent c/o the funeral home, 918 7th St., Clay Center KS 67432.
Online condolences may be made at www.nsrfh.com.
