Irene Hammel Patterson

Irene Hammel Patterson, age 87, of Holland, formerly of South Haven, passed away March 7 at the Resthaven Maple Woods facility. She was born April 20, 1930, to Harry and Elizabeth (Wilming) Hammel in Techumseh, Michigan. Irene graduated from Tecumseh High School and went on to earn a degree in Medical Technology. She was employed by the Upjohn Company, retiring in 1978. She married Dale Patterson on September 9, 1978, at the Epiphany Episcopal Church in South Haven. Irene loved to fish and hunt and was known to bag a deer at her family’s hunting camp near Alpena. She also enjoyed traveling with her husband Dale. She was a member of the Orchid Society of Kalamazoo.

She is preceded in death along with her parents by her husband, Dale Patterson, who passed in 1983, and her siblings Gerry Banning, Jack Hammel, and Richard Hammel.

Irene is survived by her step-children, Pat (Jay C. Watkins) Patterson of Denver, Colorado, and Dale Patterson of Corpus Christi, Texas; step-grandchildren Jonathan Watkins and Sarah (Jon) Peterson; and a step-great granddaughter Eleanor Margaret Peterson, as well as nephews and a niece.

Graveside services will be held at a later date at Lakeview Cemetery in South Haven. Contributions may be made in Irene’s memory to the National Audubon Society, 24433 W 9 Mile Road, Southfield, Michigan 48033 or the South West Michigan Land Conservancy, 8395 E. Main, Galesburg, MI 49053.