Steven Byard Patterson

Steven (Steve) Byard Patterson, “Shag,” passed away in Glendive, Montana on January 15th, 2024, at the age of 73, after a three week stay with Hospice care. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM with Life Tribute services beginning at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at the Silha Funeral Home in Glendive with Celebrant Heidi Carney officiating. Interment will be in the Dawson County Cemetery. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements. Steve was born to parents Arlan and Virginia Patterson on August 8th, 1950 in Havre, MT. When Steve was a year old, the family moved to Glendive to live in the house that his dad and grandpa built. He attended Washington School and DCHS as well as catechism classes at Sacred Heart. Steve learned many skills and life lessons. Some were easy to come by, some not so easy. He learned what family was while growing up with his three younger sisters, Arla (Kerry) Culver, Cathy (Ken) Siderius and Julie Taylor, all of Kalispell, Montana. He learned right from wrong and even did a little time at the Home on the Range youth home. He spent his young years playing at the motel his grandparents had built and owned, the Rock Log Lodge, playing at the park, swimming in the new pool, exploring the creek and the river banks. At 9 years old, his dad and grandpa, Pop, built the 4th cabin at Hell Creek. This was the beginning of early morning and evening fishing, as well as swimming and water skiing at the lake. In 1968, Steve left home and married Betty Mueller. This union brought four children; Todd Patterson of AR, Scott Mueller of NV, Jason (Judy) Mueller of AR and Christina (Rob) Simon of Dickinson, ND. In 1976, Steve met Sandy Oster, while working in Dickinson, ND. They married in 1978 and made their home in Glendive, Montana. Sandy was Steve’s everything for all 38 years of their marriage and continued to be after her passing in 2016. After 35 years with the Burlington Northern railroad as a brakeman, Steve retired. He spent much of his free time throughout the years refinishing antiques with his dad, a skill learned from both his dad and his grandfather. Furniture was brought to the family shop by friends and family to be restored by the Pattersons, and they loved bringing new life to every piece they refinished or built. Steve loved working in his garden, sharing popsicles with neighborhood children that lovingly called him Santa Claus; and traveling to Kalispell every fall with his friend, Richard (Dick) Clingingsmith, to take in the apple smashing events with his sisters, something he and Sandy had done for years together. He loved sharing treats and homemade goodies during the holidays and had enlisted the help of dear friend, Kelsi Nellermore and her children, Torren, Drew and Demi, his honorary grandchildren. He joined the Nellermore and Clingingsmith families for many holidays and special events. Both families made certain he made it to appointments, grocery shopping and other errands through the past few years and most always finished their outings with a trip to The Beer Jug for lunch as a thank you. Their friendship and kindness can never be repaid, however, it will always be remembered. Steve looked forward to Tuesday evenings at his home, when friends of his and Sandy’s would still gather to play Zilch. It was his opportunity to stay in touch with Sandy’s memory and their friends. He enjoyed this time and the fun and conversation that each Tuesday evening brought. Summertime for Steve meant gardening and Walleye season. Family friends, Dan and Laurel Dassinger, made sure he stayed stocked with fish with their unique bartering system of trading sister Cathy’s homemade Gandy Dancer Pepper, in exchange for a portion of Dan’s summer full of hardwork catching walleye, that Steve would take on the annual trip to Kalispell for the apple smashing, where Steve was the cook for the annual fish fry. Steve is survived by his sisters, children, grandchildren; Kimberleigh (husband Colby, daughters Paisleigh & Maisie) Gaylord of Wyoming, Randy Mueller of Wyoming, Megan (Kayd) Adair and Brayden Simon of North Dakota. Nephews Nathan Culver, Noah and son, Caidan Culver, Nyles and son Ryder Culver, Phillip Roney Taylor all of Kalispell, Montana and Cole Taylor of Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents and wife, Sandy and grandson, Scottie Mueller of Wyoming. A special thank you to the Hospice and nursing staff at GMC for their time and care during Steve’s stay. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Steve’s name to the Home on the Range youth home. Though his stay there was short, it made a huge impact on his life and he has continued to support them throughout the years. Remembrances and condolences can be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.

Steven Byard Patterson

August 8, 1950 - January 15, 2024

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Steven Byard Patterson

August 8, 1950 - January 15, 2024

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support