Linda Rene (Patterson) Fredrickson passed peacefully through this earthly life at home on Friday, July 10.

Born in Springfield, Missouri on June 12, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Ward and Phyllis (Barber) Patterson. Linda graduated from Lee's Summit High School and earned an Associate in Arts degree from Tulsa Junior College. Linda was also an active member of The United Methodist Church for more than forty years, serving in women’s and children’s ministries.

Linda lived in many cities throughout the country, later settling in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Linda worked for the Federal government and several companies throughout her lifetime, but her most important work was raising her children and her service to others. Linda participated in numerous volunteer activities including mission trips with teenagers to Methodist churches in the Navajo Nation, serving as president of the United Methodist Women’s group, creating a tween ministry exclusively for 5th and 6th graders, leading adult Bible studies, teaching Sunday school, and organizing Vacation Bible School.  

Linda’s spirit is carried on by her three children, Douglas and his wife Dina Fredrickson, Kendra and her husband Montassar Laouini, and James and his wife Marnie Fredrickson; five grandchildren, Alexandria, Ariel, Kaylee, Zachary, and Katie; two-great grandchildren, L’Wren and Finley; a brother, Michael Patterson, and an extended family of relations and friends from every walk of life. 

Linda shared many valuable lessons with her family during her 77 years, among them comprehensive list-making, expert clothes folding, special events and party theming, and a genuine love of books and music. Most importantly, she taught her family about generosity, endurance and determination, and how to instill a sense of gratitude in their children. Linda also taught her children countless space-saving techniques, imparted an endless passion for learning, and was a living example of how to authentically love all others, free of prejudice, and celebrate the uniqueness of every individual. Those who have taken Linda’s lessons to heart will continue to pack wisely for a trip, take time to learn someone’s name, invite new friends who are lonely to a holiday dinner, and, if they are from another country and you have trouble understanding them, learn to “listen with an accent.”

The family would like to thank the many family and friends for their prayers and support over these past years.

A private memorial service will be held online for the immediate family. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the family will host a larger gathering of family and friends in Missouri at a future time to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to one of Linda’s favorite charities: Heifer International, an organization working to end poverty by partnering with farmers to provide animals to families in need, at https://www.heifer.org/gift-catalog/give-where-needed-most.html.