Elsie Mae (Patterson) Yates, age 102, of Osage Beach, passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2025.  She was born in Ulman on May 28, 1923, daughter of the late James Willard and Ruth Elizabeth (Graves) Patterson.

Throughout her extraordinary 102 years of life, Elsie was born in an era before modern conveniences, witnessing the world transform during the dawn of the digital age, and the unfolding of history's most crucial moments.  She was a devoted member of the Ulman Christian Church.

Elsie received her honorary degree from Tuscumbia High School.  She worked as a manager at Katz Drug Store in Kansas City and later owned and operated KK Ranch in the Lake area, welcoming and hosting countless vacationers during her time there.  She took great pride in attending and cheering on her nieces and nephews' sporting events and was always a proud spectator.  Elsie had an adventurous spirit with a love for traveling the country and creating memories along the way.

She is survived by three siblings, Donald Patterson of Ulman, Marvin (Judy) Patterson of Ulman, and Carolyn Pryor of Grover, and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

In addition to her parents James and Ruth Patterson, and husband, Curtis Yates, she was also preceded in death by seven siblings, Babe Patterson, Bob Patterson, James Patterson, Harold "Pede" Patterson, Wendy Patterson, Warren Patterson, and Maurice Patterson.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., with services immediately following at 6 p.m., on Monday, July 28, at Fancher-Rekus Funeral Home in Iberia with Charlie Worstell and Larry David Flaugher officiating.  Interment will be held at a later date in Jackson Cemetery in Ulman.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to Jackson Cemetery.