Sarah Ann Patterson was the daughter of James Patterson born April 13, 1806 died June 26, 1901; and Hannah Quick born 1811/1812 and died June 26, 1901 St. Ansgar, Mitchell County, Iowa.

Mrs. Sarah Ann Beckner died this morning at 4:45 at her home on the east side, the cause of her death cancer (breast). She has been confined to her bed for only a few weeks, but she has been ailing for the last twenty years. The deceased was born in Penn., in 1840 and died in her eighty second year. She has been a resident of this city for the past 37 years. She leaves three sons and two daughters to mourn her death; Harmon O. Beckner and Mrs. E. J. Crane of South Dakota; Mrs M. L. Woodall, Isaac N. and Bert Beckner of this city. Her husband died seven years ago. Definite arrangements for the funeral have not yet been made.

Sarah Ann Patterson, daughter of James and Hannah Patterson was born in Qwarwen, Penn., January 20, 1840. In her youth her family moved to Wisconsin and settled at Madison. She was married to David B. Beckner, April 28, 1860 at Mitchell County, Iowa, where they lived for fourteen years. After several years more of changes they settled at Webster City in 1889, since which time they had continued their home in this place. Their family consisted of nine children three of whom proceeded their mother in death. James, Charles and Mrs. Alice Crane. The surviving members are Harmon D. Beckner of Jordon, South Dakota; Mrs. Mae Woodall of Webster City, Iowa;; Mrs. Edmond Crane (Sarah Virgina)of Lebanon, South Dakota; Mrs. Charles A. Hosford of Sifton, Canada; W.B. Beckner and Isaac N. Beckner of Webster City, Iowa. Mrs. Beckner passed away September 20, 1921, in her 82 year.

Owing to her natural temperament as well as to her long residence in this place, she acquired an extensive acquaintance in this community. Her home possessed the atmosphere of hospitality where her numerous friends found a welcome always awaiting them. She was a neighborly woman, always sympathetic and helpful in time of sickness or distress. She united with the church in her childhood and continued an active interest in it through out her long life. In earlier years she was superintendent of Sunday Schools and taught classes and assisted in many religious movements. This association doubtless explains her hopeful disposition and cheerful complacency with which she viewed life and accepted its varied changes. The funeral services were held at the Methodist Church of Friday afternoon with interment in Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, Iowa.(Webster City newspaper clippings from family Scrapbook).

Mary Jane Crane, Sarah Ann Patterson Beckner's granddaughter came and took care of Sarah Ann in Webster City. One day when coming home from grocery shopping she dropped some items and Martin Stearns stopped and helped her. About three years later they were married. (As told by Mary Jane Crane Stearns)