Patricia Louise Petersen

Barbara Petersen Sep 8, 2026, 10:35 AM (2 days ago)to me, CP, Chris

Patricia Louise Petersen, also known as Patty Lou, Grammy and Mom, passed away August 7, 2026 after a bravely fought four year battle with cancer. 

Born July 8, 1940, into a family led by a nomadic logger, Patty was the second of four children. She attended grade school in Oregon and Washington, including Our Lady of the Lake in Lake Oswego. She started high school in Forest Grove, Oregon and graduated from St. Bernard’s High School in Eureka, California. When her parents, Pat and Hazel Soderberg headed north to Alaska, Patty stayed behind to marry her high school sweetheart, Ron Petersen, and attend Humboldt State University. 

Patty and Ron eventually pitched their tent in Davis, California before moving to Yuba City, where she became a loving mother, a devoted wife and a ringleader in organizing neighborhood social events and Englebright Dam flotilla parties.

Patty was close in every way with her daughter, Heidi, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was everyone’s wingman, filling in when needed and always lending a helpful hand. She zipped around Sacramento in her iconic Honda Civic like Marty McFly on his skateboard often grabbing a McDonald’s fountain Diet Coke along the way. 

Her son Chris, along with Barb and the boys, shared many wonderful times with her in Seattle, Boise, and McCall—family gatherings, Christmas celebrations, football games and her quest for Mexican food. Aunt Sissy was often right there beside them. 

As the wife of Ron and mother of Chris, both football players and coaches, Patty became the ultimate cheerleader. Through thick or thin, rain or shine, smooth sailing or rocky roads, routs and blowouts, Patty knew the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat always showing grace under pressure. With perfect attendance Patty showed up with her game face on, chin strap tight and makeup perfectly applied.

Patty had a huge heart for all of her friends as well as new friends she picked up along the trail. Like Hotel California once you checked in you never checked out. An accomplished and dedicated yarn spinner, Patty logged 20 years of knits and purls with her knitting circle of friends. Physical fitness was a top priority and Patty was a founding member of a hardcore pack of gym rats who always sought to raise the bar. Like her parents, she always brought out the best in every one around her. 

She saw the bright side of all things, enjoyed lunch dates, movies, TV shows, TV news, hot dogs, hamburgers, spaghetti, tacos and all things Lucille Ball, Elvis and Paul Newman. As a avid reader she exchanged all kinds of books with friends of varied reading tastes. She was especially fond of Harry Bosch and John Corey. 

Patty was a devout Catholic, a proud patriot and loyal to all members of Team Patty. She was a spirited conversationalist who once talked on a road trip all the way from Sacramento to Portland. A 12-once can of Bud Light could provide her with an entire evening of revelry. 

Her laughter was like wind chimes, her smile big enough to garage a VW, and her green eyes shone like emeralds. Patty’s spiked white hair was the perfect frosting for this adorable spice cake. If Patty were a puppy and you wanted a loyal, fun, happy and lovable best friend, she would be the pick of the litter. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Patrick and Hazel Soderberg, and her brother, Jerry Soderberg. She is survived by her son Chris (Barbara) and daughter Heidi Moore; grandchildren Jack (Monica), Sam, Jordan Franco, Samantha Daniels (Nick), and Christopher Moore; and great-grandchildren Rocky, Ryder, Hazel, Penelope, and Francesca. She is also survived by her brother, Virgil Soderberg (Kat), sister, Christie Soderberg (Dave), sister-in-law, Gayle Soderberg; and many nieces and nephews.

Though she leaves behind a trail of tears, the Promised Land just got a whole lot merrier. 

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on October 5, 2026 at Holy Spirit Church, 3159 Land Park Drive, Sacramento. A celebration of life will follow from 1:00 to 3:30 at Antiquité Midtown, 2114 P Street. The family requests attendees wear pink, Patty’s favorite color.