'The Lord called Walter T. Patterson home to his heavenly reward' on May 26, 2008. 'After 79 years of being a fisher of men, the Lord said, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant.'' Walt was born Oct. 28, 1928, to Karl and Elsie Patterson.

While growing up in Kalispell, he met the woman of his dreams and his loving wife of 57 years, Barbara (Van Alstine) Patterson. Together they lived in Whitefish and Eureka, and eventually found a permanent home as ranchers in Polson.

Walt had an engaging smile, and a way of winding up to a handshake and shaking with gusto, letting you know he was always glad to see you and you were a member of his family. He never met a stranger.

He was a lifelong member of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and enjoyed many hours serving alongside his Christian brothers and sisters at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church. He was always the first one there if you needed help and the last one to leave; he would give you the shirt off his back and let you know he was happy to do it. He served the community in too many different ways to mention them all, but always with dignity, compassion and a sense of humor.

He was loved, respected and will be missed by many, but none so much as his wife and five children, Bruce and Jane Patterson, Joyce and Mike Shima, and Gary and Patti Patterson, all of Polson, Ruth Patterson of Seattle, and Teresa and Scott Frazier of Olympia, Wash.; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; his three sisters, Agnes Gustafson, Betty and Glenn Van Alstine, and Anna and Bob Jones; and a multitude of extended family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 31, at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Aaron Stinnett officiating. Inurnment will be after the services at Lakeview Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Mount Calvary Lutheran Church.