Kern County CA Archives Obituaries.....[Tobler] Patterson Surgener, Christine November 15, 2005 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: K T bluewolf@onemain.com November 18, 2005, 1:37 am The Bakersfield Californian Surgener, Christine Patterson 1923 - 2005 Christine Patterson Surgener Services: Fri., Nov. 18, 10:30 a.m. Christine was born in Bakersfield on May 1, 1923. On a warm sunny fall morning of November 15th, this beautiful woman, surrounded by her adoring family, passed away into the loving and open arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Her funeral services will be held on Friday, November 18, at Riverlakes Church, 4301 Calloway Dr., at 10:30 a.m. followed by graveside services at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 3700 River Blvd. Her parents, Alfred and Christina Tobler came to America from Switzerland and settled in the Old River area of Bakersfield, later moving to Lamont to begin a family farming business. Christine grew up with brother, Leland and sisters, Margareth and Ellen. She attended local schools and graduated from Kern County Union High School in 1940. She fell in love with Keith Patterson, a tall, slim and handsome young man from Ventura. After a whirlwind courtship they married on February 1, 1941. Their first daughter, Sharon, was born on March of 1942. Shortly thereafter Keith entered the service and became an Air Force officer and pilot during World War II. After the war they returned to Bakersfield and Keith began farming and Christine worked at Judds, a local ladies retail store. From Judds she worked at the Vogue Dress Shop. She became such an astute businesswomen that in 1948, she bought the business. It became so successful that Christine with Keith opened another store that they, of course, named Christines. She was widely recognized as a fashion icon in Bakersfields womens retail industry. This was a wonderful and prosperous partnership between two people who already had a beautiful marriage. While operating these very successful businesses she was blessed with two more children, daughters Jan and Lori. She retired in 1980 and sold the business to her youngest daughter, Lori Malkin, who today continues the family tradition of retail fashion excellence. In 1975, her beloved Keith passed away leaving a young widow of 53. Fortunately she met a wonderful man, Lester Surgener, who himself was recently widowed. They were married in 1979. Les sadly passed away in 1997. Christine loved golf, bridge, hunting, fishing and travel, which she did extensively with both Keith and Les. But her true passion in life was her family with whom she shared many, many wonderful experiences. She loved her holiday trips to New York, Hawaii, Europe and most recently a Caribbean Cruise celebrating her 80th birthday with her daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren. A cabin in Shaver Lake and a condo at Pismo Beach also provided many joyous and happy times. She is survived by her sister, Ellen Nelson; sister-in-law, Norma Tobler; daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon and Jack Balfanz, Jan and Duffy Sill and Lori and Bob Malkin and stepson, Ron Surgener. Christine was blessed with 14 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Her passing leaves a tremendous void in the hearts and lives of her loved ones who will forever miss her wonderful love, support and generosity. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, John Balfanz, Greg Balfanz, Mike Weber, Tracey Chance, Bret Sill, Scott Biernot, Brian Charrett, Drew Johns, Jeff Johns, Lester Surgener and Greg Surgener. Visitation begins today 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. Greenlawn Mortuary Funeral Directors Legacy.com Published in the Bakersfield Californian on 11/17/2005. Additional Comments: Volunteer submission - No relation to deceased No other information available from submitter. Obituaries http://www.legacy.com/bakersfield/LegacyHome.asp File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/kern/obits/t/toblerpa878gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 4.3 Kb