Mariah Patterson, 38, of Oberlin, Kansas and formerly of Liberty Center, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at Decatur Health Systems in Oberlin.

A Celebration of Life for Mariah will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 PM on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way, in Ames.

Mariah Selina Patterson was born on April 8, 1988, to Warren and Myra (Smalley) Patterson in Ames. She was the first of the Patterson grandchildren. She attended and graduated from Southeast Warren High School with the Class of 2007. Following graduation, Mariah moved to Kansas.

Mariah worked a variety of jobs over the years, including in daycare and housekeeping. She loved going to thrift stores and flea markets, searching for treasures at bargain prices. She was known to be a cross between a tomboy and a hippie and wore shorts and flip flops year-round. She was like a kid in a candy store, she had a never endling love for everything.

Mariah was a social butterfly; she never met a stranger. She loved being out in nature, listening to music, writing poetry and gardening. She was an excellent baker, perfecting recipes handed down to her from her mother and grandmother and created many of her own. She was well known for her made-from-scratch Cinnamon Rolls.

Mariah's family describe her as being silly and having a good sense of humor. She was known to be a bit of a prankster, hiding and playing tricks on family and friends, especially her younger siblings.

Mariah will be lovingly remembered for her smile and happy disposition.

Mariah is survived by her parents, Warren and Myra Patterson of Kelley; her sister, Colleen Patterson of Detroit, Michigan, and her brother Marshall Patterson of Indianola; her grandfather, Richard Patterson; a number of aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives, along with extended family members and friends.

Mariah was preceded in death by her grandmother Linda Patterson and her Smalley grandparents, along with her great grandparents.