Sheri Kay Patterson

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones.” (Psalm 116:15)

She was the child of Christian parents, and her mother embodied the very love of the Lord. It was a special trait that was passed down from mother to daughter. She, too, would be baptized into Christ and spend every day afterward loving Him with all of her heart, soul, mind, and strength, while serving as a Christian example to all with whom she came in contact. Countless Bible studies brought countless souls to salvation during her life. People knew her for her smiles, hugs, back scratches, and incredible love for God. That is simply who she was. She became the wife of an accountant who soon became a gospel preacher. Concerned that she did not know how to be a preacher’s wife, an older preacher at the time assured her, “Just be yourself, and you will be the best preacher’s wife ever.” She did, and she was. She served the Lord faithfully by her husband’s side for just a few days over 34 years of marriage.

At 2:35 a.m. in the early morning hours of Wednesday, August 12, 2026, Sheri Kay (Laschkewitsch) Patterson of Sebring, Florida, passed peacefully from this life to the next with family and a very dear friend at her side. Earlier in her life, ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease) had already taken the lives of Sheri’s mother, middle brother, and several relatives. Diagnosed just 3 years before her passing with the same illness, Sheri traveled all over the United States and Guyana, South America, with her husband sharing her special love with over 80 different congregations of the church of Christ where her husband would teach and preach. He has often said that Sheri taught more people the love of God through her Christian example than he ever did preaching a sermon. Knowing her diagnosis would eventually rob her of the ability to speak and all bodily movement, Sheri still wanted to bring one more person to the Lord before she died. She brought two. The last would marry her daughter. Sheri’s legacy in Jesus will live on here and in the hereafter.

Sheri Patterson was born on November 7, 1968, in Brookings, South Dakota, to a military family. She was loved deeply by her mother, a registered nurse, and was her father’s “little princess.” She was the youngest of four siblings and the only girl. After graduating from high school in 1987, she spent 9 months living with her oldest brother in Germany touring all over Europe while he served in the United States Army. In 1988, Sheri started school at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. While there, she earned her degree in International Studies in only three years and met the love of her life, a young Tennessean named Kevin Patterson. They were married in Richardson, Texas, on August 1, 1992, before beginning a life of ministry together that would take them from the Lone Star State to Kansas, Missouri, and Florida. During those years, they adopted two boys, gave birth to a boy and a girl, and helped raise several others who affectionately call her “Momma” to this day.

In life, Sheri was a marathon runner and served as a schoolteacher, Bible class teacher and a church secretary. However, most remember her fondly as the owner/operator of Sheri’s Shaved Ice, a business she started in 2003 and grew for over 20 years in two different states. Summer after summer, year after year, customers were excited when she opened the awning in April and sad when she closed it in September. Nevertheless, during those seasons, she would be seen serving her shaved ice with a big smile or sitting at her picnic tables studying her Bible with an open heart and maybe another person. She loved her customers so much. Over the years, many were saved by the blood of the Lamb all because a friendly, 5-foot fisher of men loved them enough to share God’s word with them.

Sheri’s husband described her as more than just an amazing wife and godly mother. She was more than a hard worker and dedicated teacher. More than all her many lifelong accomplishments, he described his “Sweetie” as quite simply his very best friend. There was no one in this world he would rather be with than Sheri. After her passing, he wrote:

“I love you, Sweetie. I watched you take your last breath only yesterday. My heart is broken with a hurt I have never felt before, but I know I will see you again. By the grace of God, I know I will see you again. Until that time, I will try to love as you loved and serve as you served. You were and still are my greatest Christ-like example. Thank you for being the most extraordinary wife and best friend a man could ever have. You were so much more than I ever deserved, and I miss you deeply.”

Sheri was preceded in death by her grandparents (all of North Dakota), her father (John Maurice Laschkewitsch), her mother (Mary Margaret (Morris) Laschkewitsch), and her brothers (John Brian Laschkewitsch and Ben Maurice Laschkewitsch).

Sheri is survived by her husband (Kevin Patterson) of Florida, her sons (Michael Jay Cummins Patterson) of Arizona, (John Neil Cummins Patterson) of Washington, (Connor Alexander Patterson) of Tennessee, her daughter (Mary Elise Acosta) and husband (Kristevan) of Florida, her father’s widow (Carolyn Laschkewitsch) of Texas, her brother (Scott Timothy Laschkewitsch) and wife (Shannon) of Missouri, her sister-in-law (Imelda Laschkewitsch) of Texas, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Sheri’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home located at 4001 Sebring Parkway in Sebring, Florida. A visitation will take place starting at 1:00 p.m., and the memorial will begin at 3:00 p.m. All of Sheri’s family members and truest friends are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, please send any memorials to the Patterson Evangelism Fund c/o Eagle Lake church of Christ, P.O. Box 582, Eagle Lake, FL 33839. The elders there oversee the work Sheri & Kevin started over two years ago to help struggling congregations all over the United States and abroad. It was Sheri’s wish that Kevin continue the efforts they began together.

Condolences may be made at https://www.stephensonnelsonfh.com/obituaries/sheri-patterson . You are also encouraged to upload photos there of Sheri throughout her life to be shared with the Patterson family and others.

“And I heard a voice from Heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.” (Revelation 14:13)

Arrangements entrusted to:
Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home
Sebring, Florida
www.stephensonnelsonfh.com