Ronnie E. Ryan Patteeuw, 28, of Burns died on May 1. 

He was born on June 28, 1980, at the Harney County Hospital to Earl Charles and Carol Patteeuw (Muilenberg). He attended all of his school years in Burns and graduated from Burns High School in 1999.

Patteeuw married the love of his life, Lisa Gunkel, on Aug. 8, 2008, at the Bible Baptist Church in Hines.

He lived most of his life in the Burns area, except for a short time in Madras, where he lived and worked. He later returned to Burns, where he worked as a security guard at the Old Camp Casino.

Patteeuw and his wife attended the Bible Baptist Church, where he enjoyed many close friends and watched every horse ride with the kids at the church picnics. He loved riding his horse, “Bo,” with friends or just as a lone rider; this was where he always felt most at peace. Moving cows was always a “rush” for him — he always said the horse did all the work.

He enjoyed hunting with his brother, Charles, as there were always the biggest and most exciting times in store for the both.
Patteeuw is survived by his wife, Lisa Patteeuw; parents, Earl and Kathy Patteeuw and Carol Angell; brothers, Charles and James Patteeuw and Kory Angell; and sisters, Maria Patteeuw, Karen Durfee, Marie Kay Williams and Michelle Patteeuw. He is also survived by his grandparents, Donna Gunkel, Marjorie Gunkel and Donald Starbuck; father- and mother-in-law, Scott and Ninabelle Gunkel; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Tina Agee.

A memorial service was held on May 6 at the Harney County Fairgrounds Memorial Building. Contributions in Patteeuw’s memory can be made to the Kids Club of Harney County or the High School Rodeo Association in care of LaFollette’s Chapel, P.O. Box 488, Burns, OR 97720.