Elizabeth “Liz” Ruth Patterson, 86, passed away peacefully on November 27, 2023. A beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, friend to so many will be deeply missed. A lifelong Texan born in Corpus Christi, Texas on September 22, 1937, she was the only daughter out of four children born to Emil and Vlasta Kureska. Liz graduated from Incarnate Word Catholic school for women in 1955. Liz met the love of her life Joe Patterson or simply “Patterson” as she so often called him. They were married on November 10, 1956. Liz and Joe traveled extensively visiting Europe, cruise trips up to Alaska and taking grandkids to Hawaii on numerous occasions. They also traveled together extensively throughout Texas for Liz’s work as a wholesale insurance representative. Joe Patterson passed away in May 2005. Liz is survived by her three children Laura McDonald and Nancy Beward both of New Braunfels, Texas and Mark Patterson of Georgetown, Texas. Liz had 5 grandchildren Brittany, Stephen, Stacey, David and Morgan along with 2 great grandchildren, Samantha and Cooper. Liz and Joe lived the majority of their lives in the Corpus Christi area before moving to San Antonio in 2000 to be closer to family members who had moved up to the central Texas area over the years.
Liz’s greatest passions were her family, work, and gardening. She was always in the center of the action planning family get-togethers or enjoying family, friends and strangers at her favorite wine destinations. Her second family was her work family. Liz was deeply involved in the insurance industry throughout her adult life and was fondly referred to as “Lizard” throughout the industry at the local, state and national level. Liz started her insurance career in 1957 working for Bill Cousins General Agency in Corpus Christi, Texas as a key punch/verifier operator. That expanded into learning personal and commercial underwriting. Liz joined Floyd West & Company, Corpus Christi, Texas as an underwriter assistant then underwriter. Wanting to learn the agency side she worked for Nelson Wray Insurance and Swantner & Gordon. She later became a partner in the Dewey Johnson Agency. Liz joined Elton George & Company, which later became E.W. Blanch Wholesalers, as South Texas Marketing Representative exceeding territorial production goals for a number of years. In 1997 Liz joined the Myron Steves marketing team and covered South Texas, the Texas Hill Country and portions of North Texas. She was actively involved in numerous insurance organizations including the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas, Independent Insurance Agents of San Antonio, Independent Insurance Agents of the Coastal Bend, Federation of Insurance Women of Texas (FIWT), Insurance Women of San Antonio (IWSA), and Texas Surplus Lines Association. Liz served as President of FIWT from 1992-1993. She was always helping the associations with golf events, luncheons, fundraisers, Christmas celebrations, installation of officers and more. She retired from Myron Steves in 2016 and then worked part-time for them until January 2019.
Funeral services are scheduled for Sunday, December 10, 2023, at Zoeller Funeral Home, 615 Landa Street, New Braunfels Texas 78130. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm with the rosary to be held at 5:00 pm followed by the eulogy starting at 5:30 pm. A mass will be held at 10:00 am on Monday December 11, 2023, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 386 N. Castell Ave. New Braunfels, Texas 78130. Liz will be laid to rest by her love, Joe Patterson at a family burial following the mass at 3:00 pm at Memory Gardens Cemetery, 8200 Old Brownsville Road, Corpus Christi, Texas, 78415.
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