About This Memory Space
This page was created for Evelyn Ruth Patterson's family and friends as a place to remember them, to share stories, and to keep their memory close in everyday life.
It is cared for and added to over time by the people who knew them, and everyone is invited to contribute, whether that is a story, a photo, a few words, or a simple note.
Many families visit places like this not just once, but again and again, especially on quiet days or meaningful anniversaries. This page is here for those moments, wherever you are.
A place to return to when you want to feel close again, to remember a moment, or to leave a few words for others to read. Over time, it grows through the voices of everyone who knew and loved them.
Light a Candle Growing
Light a candle to honor Evelyn Ruth Patterson's memory. Each lighting keeps their memory burning bright for 23 hours.
Candle lit burns 23 hours. Come back and light it again after 23 hours to keep the memory burning.
Limited to 5 lightings per hour to prevent abuse.
Memory Wall Growing
Stories, photos, and memories shared by people who knew Evelyn Ruth Patterson. This is the heart of this space—a collection that grows as more people contribute.
No memories posted yet. Be the first to share a story or memory.
Life & Legacy
Evelyn Ruth Patterson crafted a remarkable journey marked by intellectual brilliance, innovative thinking in auditing, and an unwavering commitment to creating joyful family traditions that wove her loved ones together across generations.
Born in Rock River, Ohio, to Paul G. Strom and Norma C. (Moe) Strom, Evelyn pursued her passion for numbers at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, earning an undergraduate degree in Mathematics. Her teaching internship at Hopkins High School in Minneapolis sparked a lifelong dedication to education and insight. After graduation, she wed her college sweetheart, Richard 'Dick' Patterson, and welcomed son Drew in 1971 followed by daughter Dayna in 1972. Balancing family life, she advanced her studies, securing an MBA and accounting degree from the University of Texas-El Paso, becoming a CPA, and ultimately attaining a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin. Her analytical mind transformed routine challenges into groundbreaking perspectives, enriching both academia and practice.
Joining KPMG, a leading accounting firm, Evelyn rose as a preeminent auditing theorist, co-authoring 14 influential papers in top journals. She possessed a rare gift for infusing creativity into standard procedures, offering fresh viewpoints on auditing complexities. In the classroom, she captivated students by weaving her fraud detection research into lessons on accountants' vital role in curbing deception, inspiring countless professionals with her visionary approach.
Family & Loved Ones
Evelyn orchestrated holiday celebrations with meticulous care and infectious enthusiasm, turning Thanksgiving into a festive prelude to Christmas filled with baking Scandinavian treats like sandbakkels, spritz cookies, and krumkake amid holiday tunes. She delighted in selecting thoughtful gifts and preparing sumptuous turkey feasts, later expanding gatherings to include brothers Paul and David Strom and their families for movies, football, Shanghai rummy, pumpkin pie, and tree-trimming. Christmas Eve brimmed with Bible readings, carols, a candlelit church service of Silent Night, and Santa's surprises—memories like the Atari system and M&Ms evoking endless joy. Ever the spiritual guide, she instilled in Drew, Dayna, and grandchildren Kyle, Amanda, and Jack the true essence of the season as Christ's redemptive birth. She leaves behind husband Dick, children Drew Patterson and Dayna (Ron Virtue), grandchildren, and brothers Paul and David.
Remembered by Friends & Family
Tributes from Evelyn's circle capture a woman whose innovative spirit and nurturing heart left an indelible mark, with many recalling her as a beacon of wisdom and festive warmth that brightened countless lives.
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