Ingeborg Mellem Patton

Ingeborg Mellem Patton, 98, of Port Neches, Texas, passed peacefully at home into the arms of her Savior on December 3, 2025. She was born to Sigurd and Gunda Mellem on September 16, 1927 on the family farm near Kongsvinger, Norway. She came to the United States on a ship to work for the Norwegian Consulate in New York as an au pair. She met her husband, Joe, and they started a family, moving to Texas 61 years ago. She returned frequently to her homeland to visit her large family and traveled to many other countries, still traveling abroad into her 90’s. She even attended college in her 70’s to learn a third language.

She volunteered for the United Board of Missions for about half a century, was a homemaker and was always involved with the church and the children’s schools and athletic events. She loved her PNG Indians and the Dallas Cowboys.

"Grandma” was the matriarch of the family, always hosting the holidays and would not allow anyone to help or cook but we were able to sneak in a few dishes the last few years. It was not unusual to see her riding a horse, doing cartwheels in her yard full of flowers or skating down the long driveway with the children. She was everyone’s biggest cheerleader. In her eyes her grandchildren and great grandchildren were perfect and did no wrong, just ask the kids, we have stories.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sigurd and Gunda Mellem and her husband Joseph Patton. She now joins her siblings that passed before her, Sigrid Roed, Manghild Omland, Ottar Mellem, Gunvor Mellem, Bjorg Andreassen and Jorunn Andreassen.

She is survived by her 3 children, Elizabeth Miller, Ricky (Rita) Patton and Sharon Patton. She has 5 perfect grandchildren, Jeff Patton, Adrian Miller (Sommer), Shala Landry (Dalton), Rebecca Tarver (John) and Kimberly Neenan (Anthony). She also leaves behind 11 perfect great grandchildren.

At her wishes the family will have a private graveside service on December 6, 2025 with burial to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Groves, Texas under the direction of Clayton-Thompson Funeral Home.