Mrs. Katherine Patterson Bean, member of a prominent pioneer family and for many years an outstanding figure in the civic and community life of Eugene and in several leading women’s organizations, died in her sleep Tuesday [February 22, 1944] at her home, 978 High Street, at the age of 69 years.
She was the widow of the late Louis E. Bean, who held several high state offices. Mr. Bean was an attorney. Mrs. Bean was a native of Lane County, born Aug. 28, 1874, on the farm of her parents, Alexander K. and Iphie Henderson Patterson, three miles east of Goshen. She was the granddaughter of Oregon’s early congressman, J. H. D. Henderson, who with his brother, E. P. Henderson, founded Columbia College, Eugene’s first school of higher education, the old institution having been located in that part of the city now known as College Hill.
Educated in Eugene schools, Mrs. Bean was graduated from the University of Oregon with the class of 1897. She taught school for several years in Eugene and vicinity following her graduation. She was married to Louis E. Bean, June 28, 1905. He died in July of 1929.
Mrs. Bean was a life-long member of the First Methodist Church of Eugene and active in all branches of church work, having served as president of the Women’s Society for Christian Service among other organizations. She was active in many other local groups, including the Monday Book club, the Eugene Club, Daughters of the Nile, and others, also the State Association of University of Oregon Women, being one of the most ardent alumna workers in behalf of the university.
Surviving are two sons, Alexander, now in the U.S. Navy, and Louis of Portland; a daughter, Mrs. Margaret Bockman, now living in Alabama, her husband being in the army; a brother, Everett Patterson, of Yakima, Wash.; a nephew, Henderson Stewart, in the U. S. Army; two cousins, Margaret Wetherbee and Jessie B. Friedel, both of Portland.
Funeral announcements will be made later from the Veatch-Hollingsworth Mortuary.
Register Guard, February 23, 1944
Contributed by: Shelli Steedman