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View Worship Bulletin for June 13, 2025
Rev. Howard Jerome Patten
Reverend Howard Patten, retired Lutheran pastor in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, passed away peacefully in El Paso, Texas, on April 2nd, 2025, at the age of 89. Howard was born on September 6th, 1935 to Harvey and Alice Patten in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. He graduated high school from Roseau High, Roseau, Minnesota in 1953 and attended Concordia College, St. Paul with plans of entering the pastoral ministry.
After graduating from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri in 1961, Reverend Patten embarked on a fulfilling ministry that spanned over 60 years. He served with dedication and love at Faith Lutheran, Johnstown, Colorado, Gloria Christi Lutheran, Greeley, Colorado, Peace Lutheran, Atlanta, Georgia, Concordia Lutheran, Conover, North Carolina, and St. Matthew Lutheran, Houston, Texas. He served for a total of 16 years in the Kansas District first as Mission Executive and then Kansas District President after which he retired in 2003. Upon retirement, Reverend Patten served Christ Our Savior Lutheran, Angelfire, New Mexico, and Sangre de Cristo Lutheran, Taos, New Mexico. He then accepted a call to Zion Lutheran Church, El Paso, Texas coincidentally the same church he had married the love of his life, Marilyn Geyer, back in 1965.
In his retirement, Reverend Patten assisted congregations with pastoral vacancies in Deming, Las Cruces, and Ruidoso, New Mexico and Ascension Lutheran, El Paso, Texas. Reverend Patten touched the lives of countless individuals and families. His sermons were known for interpretations from original Greek and Hebrew text, preaching the Christian faith in an ever-changing world, and sharing grace, truth, and love to all of humanity.
Beyond his pastoral duties, Howard was deeply involved with his family, shared a wealth of stories and lessons learned, and cherished a good laugh. The son of a men’s clothier, Reverend Patten loved a good suit, cardigan, or new pair of shoes to always look his best. He loved music whether it was Bach, Beethoven, Dave Brubeck or The Kingston Trio. He always loved to sing along or hum the tune. He enjoyed golfing wherever he could find the links, skiing in Colorado, North Carolina, or New Mexico, canoeing in the Boundary Waters, backpacking in the North Carolina mountains, and chasing pheasants, ducks, and geese across the Kansas prairie. With his roots in Minnesota, he was a forever optimist for the Golden Gophers which was later partially replaced by his loyalty to the Kansas Jayhawks. His allegiance was further stretched after attending UTEP Miners football and basketball games with Brother Bob Geyer. In his later years, Howard excelled at doting over his grandkids and watching El Paso sunsets with Marilyn.
He is survived by Marilyn Patten (Geyer) his loving wife of 60 years; his children, Alycia and Van Zander, Kirk and Susan Patten; his sister Mary Marth; his grandchildren Ayden, Claire, Lauren, Karsen, Rogan, Greysen, and Grant; nieces, nephews, cousins and his Church Family.
A memorial service to celebrate Reverend Patten’s life will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, 2800 Pershing Dr., El Paso, TX on June 13, at 12:00 p.m. MDT. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ysleta Lutheran Mission, 301 S. Schutz Drive, El Paso, TX 79907, an organization that holds special meaning to Howard and Marilyn by providing care for immigrants in our Borderlands. Reverend Patten’s legacy of faith, love, and service will continue to inspire and guide those whose lives he touched. May he rest in peace.
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