| Eric James Patten |

Eric James Patten, 35, of Bali, Indonesia, formerly of Boelus, passed away on July 25, 2026, at the Kemenkes RS General Hospital in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia.

Family, friends, and all whose lives Eric touched shared in a visitation on Friday, August 21, 2026, at the First Baptist Church in Cairo. A celebration of life service followed on August 22, 2026 at the First Baptist Church in Cairo.

There will be no graveside service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Boelus Volunteer Fire Department or the family for later designation.

Jacobsen- Greenway- Dietz Funeral Home in St. Paul is assisting the family.

Eric was born on January 22, 1991, to Larry and Elizabeth (Pedersen) Patten in Grand Island. He was named after his late great grandpa Eric R. Pedersen, who was from Boelus. Eric lived in the rural Boelus area with his parents and siblings from birth to graduation. He was a 2009 graduate of Centura High School. Eric served for just over three years in the army as a Psychological Operations Specialist. He served two combat tours in Afghanistan and was honorably discharged in 2012. He also was a trainee on the Boelus Volunteer Fire Department before he moved away.

Eric found rhythm and solace in music, especially when behind the drums. In his teen years he was part of a neighborhood band called Nysted Inc. with a few friends. He also had a fascination for rocks and owned some property in Colorado, where he spent some time prospecting for gold and precious stones. His search for a simpler life took him around the world and he discovered a sanctuary in Bali, Indonesia where he built a home and was in the process of starting a coffee plantation and fish farm at the time of his death.

Survivors include his grandmother, Darlene Dodd; mother, Elizabeth; father, Larry; sisters, Amanda (Nathan) Fries and Rachel (Holden) Barry; and daughter, Aurora.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Charles Pedersen and Sidney Patten; and his grandmother, Doris Patten.

Eric will be deeply missed, but his spirit will remain forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

The Phonograph-Herald | August 26, 2026