Donna Renzelman Patterson

Donna Renzelman Patterson went to be with the Lord on July 12, 2023 after a hard fought battle with cancer.

Donna began her life in Wray, Colorado, the eldest of three sisters born to a wheat farmer and his young wife. She began school in a one-room schoolhouse, graduated from Wray High School, and went on to business school in Denver.  She worked for the FBI and for Chevrolet Motor Division in Denver, then married in 1963 and shortly afterwards moved to Lexington, Kentucky where they started their family. They adopted a baby girl in 1968 and were blessed with the birth of their son in 1970. The young family moved to Knoxville in 1974 and in 2006, she followed her grandchildren to Bryan, Texas. She was so proud of them! She loved going to their school/sporting events and just spending quiet time talking about their lives and relationships. She was always generous with stellar advice for them and anyone else who happened by.

Donna always had a big heartfelt smile on her face, a positive attitude, and a quiet grace that was appreciated by so many. She enjoyed a moderate lifestyle and especially loved the beach and the simpler things in life, like playing bridge with friends, bowling with her family, and watching football and golf on television with her favorite son in law. She enjoyed being an active member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in College Station until her mobility began to decline at which point she learned about streaming services.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Eileen Renzelman; her youngest sister Karen Danforth of Colorado; and her brother-in-law, Ron Craven of Albuquerque, NM.

She leaves behind her children, William Allen Patterson of Nashville, TN and Christina Chiles Jones and husband Marshall Brenning Jones of College Station, TX; her sister, Sharon Craven of Albuquerque, NM; and three grandchildren, Zoe Chiles Bayona and husband David of Rogers, AR, Noah Hensley of Fort Lauderdale, FL and Ryan Jones and wife Katie and great grandchildren Elijah and Madison of Frisco, TX. She was very close also with her nieces, Staci McGill of Langley, WA, Jill Medford and husband Kelly of Albuquerque, NM, Jerri Lusk and husband Tim of Aurora, CO, and her nephews Kevin Mahagan and wife Karyn of Castle Rock, CO, and Jeff Mahagan and wife Tammy of Durham, NC, who brought so much joy to her life as well. She remained very close to her husband’s cousin, Janet Hicklin, of Houston, TX. She left many dear friends and family in her hometown of Wray, CO, in Lexington, KY and Knoxville, TN where she raised her family and her later years in Bryan, TX.

There will be an informal reception/visitation of family and friends in her honor on Saturday, July 22 at her Kenwood Drive home in Bryan, TX from 12-4pm. Please stop in at your convenience for refreshments and lots of reminiscing and reflection on our beautiful mother’s life. Donna’s wishes were to be interred in Grandview Cemetery in Wray, CO, where there will be a graveside service at a later date.

Those wishing to make a donation in Donna’s name may do so to Our Saviors Lutheran Church in College Station, TX or online https://oslcbcs.org/give.