Barbara Jean Patterson

Barbara Jean (Durschmidt) Patterson, 83-years-old, died on June 13, 2016 at the Paula J Baber Hospice Home in Fort Dodge, Iowa after her valiant fight with Lymphoma. Her last month was spent at the Baber Hospice Home enjoying a particularly happy celebration and unification of family and friends enjoying laughter and memories. The family thanks the staff at Baber Hospice Home for their love and care. Barb was born on August 3, 1932 in Clarence Hagen (Bud) and Marjorie Tuel Hagen in Minneapolis Minnesota. The older of 2 girls, her sister, Nancy Evans - lives in The Villages, Florida. Barbara met Randy Durschmidt when they were in high school and they became sweethearts. Barb and Randy united in marriage on January 3, 1953 in Corpus Christi Parish and later divorced. Randy and Barbara have four children Lynn Ann Niemeyer of Fort Dodge, Iowa, Mark Durschmidt (deceased), Kristi Durschmidt of Russell, Minnesota and Lisa Corrigan of Denver, Colorado, 4 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. Barbara is best known for her 26 year career at Iowa Central Community College where she was a psychology professor and a guidance counselor until she retired. Ba...[more]

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s life was one that was dedicated to education, teaching and helping others to better them self's. During her high school years in Fort Dodge she was chosen for the Iowa All State Orchestra. Barb graduated from Poughkeepsie High School at 17 in Poughkeepsie, New York. During that time, Barb was selected for the cello section of the Dutchess County Philharmonic in Poughkeepsie, New York and was the youngest musician ever chosen to play with the orchestra. After returning to Fort Dodge, Barbara was an avid member of the Fort Dodge Symphony Orchestra for many years. In 1967, Barbara was appointed the director of the YMCA's aquatic program, she organized the program for lifeguards to tiny tot's helping hundreds of kids to swim. In 1969, Barb received her bachelor's degree in Business Education from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. During that time Barbara taught at business classes at Saint Edmond High School in Fort Dodge, Iowa. In 1970 Barbara went on to get her Master's Degree from Drake University in Guidance and Counseling. From 1970-1974 she worked at Dayton and Stratford Community High Schools as a counselor while completing her doctoral thesis. The 1974 graduating class at Dayton High School dedicated their yearbook to Barbara stating, "Thank You Mrs. D. for being so helpful and kind and so generous with your time." Barbara was the first woman to ever receive her Doctorates degree from Drake University and became a licensed clinical psychologist, in 1974. Barbara liked to do volunteer work helping women become more independent, especially at the Women's reformatory in Rockwell City. She also helped handicap children to swim at Camp Sunnyside and Expo Pool. Barbara also loved to play bridge and enjoyed her yearly winter trips to the beach in Cancun, Mexico. A Memorial Service will be 6:00 p.m. Sunday, June 19, 2016 at Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home. A visitation will begin at 3:00 until the time of the service. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.