Patricia Ann Van Orden

On the morning of April 7, 2013, our earthly Angel, Patricia Ann Van Orden, 78, of Bend, Oregon, was called home to our Father in Heaven after a battle with Mesothelioma. Patricia Ann was born to John Henry and Ida Bernice (Matson) Taylor on December 4, 1934 in Saint Joseph, Missouri. As a family, they moved to Oregon, where in high school she met her sweetheart, Galen Dean Van Orden. The two were married on August 2 , 1952 in Eugene, Oregon. As a couple, they hunted, square danced and raised four children together. Patricia was a woman of service. While raising her children, she served six years as a Girl Scout leader, three years as a Catechism teacher in the Catholic Church and sewed prom dresses for girls that did not have the means to obtain or make dresses of their own. One Christmas Eve, she not only took in a flood victim that was unable to return home but stayed up that night sewing a nightgown for her to open on Christmas morning. Among loving to give charitable and spiritual service, Patricia also loved children, crossword puzzles, reading, sewing, photography, painting, music and singing in the Saint Francis of Assisis choir, which she did for over twenty years. She is survived by her husband, "The Old Goat,"Galen Dean Van Orden of Bend; four children, Gayle Ann Webb of Roseburg, Sydney Jeanne Anderson of Los Angeles, California, Scott Galen Van Orden of Portland and Leigh Ellen Arthur of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; 15 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandson; her brother Skip Taylor of Texas and sister, Sharon Paulsen of Salem. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Sheila Geraldine Taylor and Grandson Nicholas James Troiano. With so many family members, there are many lasting memories she has left on each individuals heart. For many of her grandchildren, she will be remembered for singing and dancing along to the country song, "RedNeck Woman," using the word, "Razzafrackers" when upset and always giving an unforgettable, "Alright!" when good news was shared. She was also a woman who believed and did not waiver in her faith. We are thankful that she had a peaceful passing while holding the hand of her loving, "Square-headed Dutchman." A rosary and viewing will be on Monday, April 15 , 6:00pm at the Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home in Bend, Or. A Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 16 at noon at the St Francis of Assisi Parish New Church in Bend, OR. Refreshments following mass provided by the St Francis of Assisi Altar Society. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Francis of Assisis building fund or to Grandmas House in Bend, Oregon. Funeral Home: Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home New 105 NW Irving Ave Bend, OR US 97701

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Patricia Ann Van Orden

December 4, 1934 - April 7, 2013