Yvonne Patterson,

Yvonne Georgenna Patterson, 85, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2021 at Essentia with family by her side. She was born April 18, 1935 in Duluth, MN to George Joseph and Beulah Fabiola Marie Lafontaine (LaPlante)­­. She grew up in the Duluth West End neighborhood, attended St. Jean School, and graduated from Denfeld H.S. in 1953. While growing up, she attended St. Jean the Baptist Catholic Church.

Yvonne held a variety of jobs throughout her life.  In 1970 she became employed as a key-punch operator for Compudata.  In 1979 she accepted an administrative position at UMD, where she continued to work until her retirement in 1999. Every spring, from 2004-2019, Yvonne enjoyed working at Cummings Greenhouse, where she could get a jumpstart on her beloved gardening season. Puttering in her beautiful gardens at her Central Hillside home, where she lived from 1961-2021, was a favorite pastime throughout spring and summer.

During the winter months, Yvonne enjoyed competing in bonspiels. She ­­­was a member of the Duluth Curling Club for many years, competed on the 1995 Senior National Championship Team, and was named Curler of the Year in 2008. She also kept busy sewing special gifts for her children and grandchildren.

Yvonne is preceded in death by her best friend and companion of thirty-three years, Dale L. Erickson, her parents, brother Albert (Buddy) J. Lafontaine, daughter-in-law Dayle Marie (Gregg) Patterson, grandchild Ryanne Marie Delaney, and former husband Kenneth W. Patterson.

She will be greatly missed by her children, Carmen (Terry) Delaney of Fargo, ND, Brian (Diana) of Watertown, MA, Darrell (Val) of Duluth, Gregg of Duluth, and Bruce (Barb) of Bonney Lake, WA, brother George Ronald Lafontaine, sister Charmaine (Tryg) Wistad of Spooner, WI, sixteen grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and loving friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday March 24, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Dougherty Funeral Home. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private funeral will be held on Thursday March 25, 2021 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the Dougherty Funeral Home. This event will be live streamed on the Dougherty Funeral Home Facebook page. Proper COVID-19 safety protocol will be observed, and masks are required at both events. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Duluth Curling Club, 327 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN 55802.