Mary Ellen Satterlee

April 15, 2018

Service Details

Mary Patterson Satterlee passed away peacefully on April 15, 2018. Born June 17, 1946 to Arlene June and Donald Allen Bown, Mary was a unique and caring person who touched the lives of all who knew her with her smile and sense of humor.

She had three children of her own but cared for so many more. She spent her career watching many children grow and mature from kindergarten to graduation as she safely transported them to and from school for 17 years as a bus driver for Southeast Polk school district.

Mary loved being outdoors. She fished, camped and spent hours enjoying the sunshine along with a glass of iced sweet tea or a cold beer with her feet in the water of a local lake or pond. Famous for her mac and cheese, fried chicken, potato salad and potato soup, she enjoyed cooking for family gatherings and watching her grandchildren run and play. She was a simple person whose motto in life was “just a little, not a lot” – just a little cream in her coffee, just a little hair cut off, just a little of anything but not a lot. She often took long drives that annually ended up in Colorado to visit her brothers and sisters but most often ended at Dairy Queen to get an ice cream or what she called a “slick cow”.

Mary is survived by her daughters Debra (Mike) Danley and Cynthia Faucz and her son, Lee Patterson. She had seven grandchildren: Morgan (TJ) Moen, Kaitlyn (Ryder) Brown, McKaila Danley, Michael Danley, Alexander Faucz, Chloe Faucz and Halee Patterson. She had three great grandchildren with a 4th on the way. Her surviving siblings are Dennis (Patty) Bown, Karen Lambert, and John (Dianna) Bown. She had many nieces and nephews that loved her dearly. She is preceded in death by her son David Lee Patterson, her parents Arlene and Don Bown and her siblings Tom Bown, Linda Riccio, Janet Webb and Donna Hoyt.

At Mary’s specific request, there will be no formal funeral services and no formal celebration of life. Her children are honoring that request. A private family visitation will be held.

Mary had a deep love of dogs and cats. Donations may be made in her memory to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. Mary also appreciated the kindness and care provided to her by Hospice nurses and doctors these last two years and as such, memorials may also be made in her name to Unity Point Hospice Taylor House.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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