October 31, 1945 – April 13, 2011

Patricia (Pat) Jean (Veit) Hepperle was called home to her Heavenly Father, April 13, 2011.

A Celebration of Life will held Monday, April 18, at 11:00 a.m., at the Powell Butte Christian Church, Powell Butte, Oregon

She was born October 31, 1945, in Lodi, California to Walter R. and Lydia (Rau) Veit. She was a total surprise to her parents as she has a twin brother. She always said they really tricked their mom, being born on Halloween. She attended school in Lodi and Elk Grove, California, and graduate from Elk Grove High School in 1963. She got engaged on graduation day and married on Thanksgiving, her parents 28th wedding anniversary, November 28, 1963, to her husband of 47 plus years. The week after graduating from High School she was employed by the Welfare Department of Sacramento County as a secretary. She worked for the welfare department for seven years at which time she and her husband adopted their son, and named him Darren.

In 1972, she moved with her husband and son to a farm in Powell Butte, Oregon, where she resided until her passing. She made a wonderful farmer/ranchers wife even though she was a city girl. She helped with birthing pigs and feeding them, even getting a ride backwards on her name’s sake, a mother pig. She helped with the cattle and even harrowing the fields — not too straight, but she would get the job done. She became quite mechanical repairing the wheel lines when Don was off on one of his many trips with the company he worked for. It always seemed that as soon as Don would leave, the cows would get out or one of the wheel line movers would break a chain, but she always got it handled.

She worked side by side with her husband as youth sponsors for over 14 years and taught many kids how to water ski. She also had many bible studies with high school girls.

Besides loving her Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, and serving Him, her next priorities were her husband, son and grandchildren. She was always doing crafts with her granddaughters or mending something for one or more of her grandchildren. She was ”Nana” to her grandchildren, and if something needed to be fixed in one way or another, Nana could do the job. If she couldn’t fix it, nobody could.

Pat is survived by her husband, Don; son, Darren of Flint, Michigan;, granddaughters, Destiny, Abbigail, and McKennah of Terrebonne, Oregon; granddaughter, Miranda of Rainier, Oregon; grandson, DJ of Flint, Michigan; and grandson, Darien of Alfalfa, Oregon; twin brother, Richard (Marcy) Veit of Cuppertino, CA; sister, Roberta Veit of Burbank, CA.

Pat is preceded in death by her parents.

In lieu of flowers please donate to your choice of charity. There will be a memorial fund set up in Pat’s name at the Yellowstone Boys’ and Girls’ Ranch, 2050 Overland Avenue, Billings, Montana, 59102.

Whispering Pines Funeral Home is assisting the Hepperle family with the arrangements. 541-416-9733.

Patricia Pat Jean (Veit) Hepperle