The theme of Dows Corn Days, which is planned August 6 – 8, is “One for the History Books.” With that theme, it only seems appropriate to have a long-time Dows resident who is steeped in the town’s history to lead the Corn Days parade. So it comes as no surprise to the people who know her that Mary Ellen Patterson was chosen as the 2021 parade marshal.
Patterson, 81, grew up just a few miles outside of Dows. She graduated from Dows High School and loved the area so much, that she stuck around most of her life. Over the years, she married her husband Boyd, who had three children. Together they had four more kids and lived on a farm west of Dows.
Over the years, Patterson has stayed busy around Dows in various capacities. She worked at the Dows Care Center as a nurse’s assistant for a number of years. She also stayed very involved in the United Methodist Church in town. She added that she enjoys sewing and over the years, even constructed wedding dresses for some of her daughters.
One of Patterson’s biggest passions is history. She is an avid genealogy researcher in addition to having a keen interest in local history. According to Dows City Clerk Jeanette Wenzel, Patterson has been president of the Dows Historical Society since 2009 but has been a member since about 2006. “She is very proud of the Historical accomplishments with all of Dows historical sites – the blacksmith shop and the Dows Mercantile are both on the national registry of historic buildings,” noted Wenzel. And even in her 80s, Patterson volunteers weekly at the Mercantile in Dows.
Patterson is a long-time Corn Days attendee. She said over the years, she regularly helped in the church food stand. She noted that the parade is her favorite part of the festivities. Still, Patterson said she wasn’t sure when she was asked to be the parade marshal this year. “I didn’t think I had done much to be asked,” she asserted.
Dows Mayor Larry Klatt politely disagrees. He noted that considering the Corn Days theme is about the town’s history, it was important to choose a parade marshal that represented that. And Patterson fit the bill perfectly!
“It takes someone like Mary Ellen to keep up the history of this place,” said Klatt. From her volunteering at the Mercantile to cleaning up the town’s historic sites each year, Patterson is not one to sit around, both Klatt and Wenzel confirmed. With that in mind, she was a great choice for parade marshal.
“Dows has always been home to me,” said Patterson. “I just like to stay active in local activities and enjoy the people.”
Look for Patterson in the Corn Days parade on Saturday, August 7 at 10 am. Keep checking the Monitor for more Corn Days events and a full schedule for the weekend.
