Marty was the youngest of seven born to Frank B. and Mabel I. (Beatty) Cooper at Piedmont March 7, 1929. She started school at Piedmont, attended Black Hills Teachers College in Spearfish then taught rural schools for three years in western South Dakota.

She married William J. "Bill" Patterson June 11, 1951. Two children, James (Judy) and Margaret (Chuck) Niles were born to this union. She and Bill worked five years on the original Patterson Homestead, 9 miles east of Sulphur. In 1956, they moved to the Camp Creek Ranch 7 miles south of Mud Butte which they later bought. Bill and Marty ran both sheep and cattle. She and Bill were active in both stock growers and woolgrowers organizations. She was state lamb promotion chairman and also participated in the "Make it yourself with wool" contests.

Marty maintained a home in Sturgis for over eight years while the children attended school. She came home on weekends and vacations in any kind of weather. Both Jim and Margaret graduated from Sturgis Brown High School. Marty worked side-by-side with Bill and still managed to be a good mother, cook, and companion. Homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, and lemon pie were family favorites. In 1997, Bill and Marty retired to their home in Sturgis, leasing out their ranch.

One of Marty's passions was card playing. She belonged to several bridge groups and could always find time for a game of cribbage. She loved music - playing the organ "by ear" when she wasn't doodling. She often put her thoughts to verse, several of which were published.

Martha "Marty" Jean Patterson died Friday, July 21, 2017 at Hospice House in Rapid City.

She is survived by her sister, Alta; children, Jim and Margaret; and grandchildren, Aaron, Amanda, and Kyna. Marty was preceded in death by her parents, five siblings, and husband, Bill. Memorial donations can be made to the Mud Butte VFD or the Sturgis Senior Center.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com .

Click on link to view service folder