Star Paterson

Star was the eldest of two daughters born to Milton & Ruth Friesen. She was born in a mud hut outside of Guasdualito, Venezuela. Her parents were missionaries, as were Ruth’s parents and maternal grandparents.

Star’s family returned to the states when the girls were young, ultimately settling in Wakefield, MA, a suburb of Boston. Milton was the executive director of Kingston House, a Union Gospel Mission, in downtown Boston for many years. Ruth was a teacher and principal in multiple Christian schools. It was Star’s parent’s passion for serving the Lord and the “least of these” that cultivated her passionate love for Jesus and others.

Star decided to attend Bethel College in St. Paul, MN, earning a degree in Sociology and Social Work. While at Bethel she met and married her husband, Don. Together, they established their first home, and church home, in St. Paul. Their three sons, David, Steven and Michael were all born in the same hospital in Minnesota.

Over the coming decades, the spiritual journey for Star and Don was wrapped up in a geographic journey. In succession there were stops in Aurora (CO), Minot (ND), Claremont (CA), Auburn (WA) and Bartlett (IL), before settling in Carmel, IN for the last ten years. Central to the life Star lived were several themes and experiences:

● Be more like Jesus
● Have people see “more of Jesus and less of me”
● It is all about relationships
● Bloom where you are planted

Star saw moving to new places as an opportunity to build new relationships and see God work in new and exciting ways. After making sure her family was settled and thriving in a new place, one of Star’s significant passions was the evangelism and discipleship of women. She served on staff as Women’s Ministry Director at three different churches, spoke at women’s conferences and retreats, led women’s Bible studies, and discipled many women one-on-one. She also held many different voluntary leadership positions with Stonecroft Ministries, including state leadership roles and serving on the National Board of Directors.

In the midst of an active life of shining Jesus to others, her greatest passions were her Lord and Savior, followed by her husband and sons. Star was a prayer warrior--praying Scripture into her own life, the lives of each of her family, and into the lives of many others around the world.

Star leaves a vibrant legacy in family and friends because of her passion to reflect the person of Jesus and share the love of Christ with others. She is survived by: her husband of 46 years, Don; son Dave; son Steve and family (wife and three children); son Mike and family (wife and two children.); and her sister, Carol.

In lieu of flowers, Star has asked that donations be considered to one of the following:

● Stonecroft Ministries (evangelism and discipleship of women) – donate online (www.stonecroft.org) or mail donations to 10561 Barkley, Suite 500, Overland Park, KS 66212.
● Cadence International (support to military families on bases around the world) – donate online (www.cadence.org/Paterson) or mail to P.O. Box 1268, Englewood, CO 80150.
● College Park Church Global Missions Outreach – donate online (www.yourchurch.com) or mail to 2606 W 96th St., Indianapolis, IN 46268.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm on February 29th at the College Park Church auditorium, 2606 W. 96th St., Indianapolis, IN 46268. Light refreshments and fellowship will follow.