Patricia Devine Nelson

Patricia Devine ( Manley ) Nelson, 93, long time ( over 50 years ) resident of Rushford, MN passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of July 21, 2026.

Patricia, a.k.a. Pattie, was born in the home of her parents Clifford and Veda ( Faltenson ) Manley on March 17, 1933 in Roberts County, SD. She spent her first eight years of school in a one room country schoolhouse near her home. Afterwards, she lived with her grandparents in Sisseton, SD during the week in order to attend Sisseton High School. She went on to Huron College where, due to the post-WWII emergency teacher shortage, she received a summer term teacher training certificate - often called a 6 month degree. That fall she began her first teaching job at a one-room school house. She went on to attend Northern State University where she graduated with a degree in education.

 Pattie married Lyle Nelson August 20, 1957. Together they had 4 children: Dale, Janet, Jean and Susan. 

Pattie taught school in Aberdeen, SD for several years. She also substitute taught in Rushford, MN. She spent her remaining 37 working years as a teacher of preschool children and caring for infants in a day-care setting.

 Pattie's love for little children shown forth in her life not only at work but also in her community. Many will remember her walking children entrusted to her care to the Rushford pool for swimming lessons and pool fun. Former students may remember her gentle "pats-on-the-back" at nap time. She devoted her free time to children for many years as a Sunday school teacher and a girl scout leader. She loved to have cookies ready for her grand children who she delighted in hosting for extended stays. Halloween was a joyful event at her house with plenty of candy for all the children she had taught and cared for throughout the years.

 Pattie was an active church volunteer. She enjoyed meeting with her women's circle, teaching Sunday school, serving on the Personnel & Membership Committee and providing treats for both Wednesday and Sunday fellowship. In addition she, with her husband Lyle, served with the mission builders on three projects - 2 in northern Minnesota and 1 in Iowa.

 Pattie loved reading. She shared her love of books by reading to her students, her children and her grand children. Once when she was busy in the kitchen, she uncharacteristically told a grand child to have grandpa "read that book." The child responded very wide eyed, "Grandpa can read?!?" Later in life , as her eye sight failed her, she would listen to many books-on-tape and joyfully discuss with you whatever she had been "reading" that day.

 Pattie is preceded in death by sisters Mary ( Pat ) Novak and Carol ( Byron ) Pederson and her beloved husband Lyle. She is survived by her brother Nathan ( Arlene ) Manley; 4 children: Dale ( Sandra ) Nelson, Janet ( Tyson ) Charbonneau, Jean ( Jon ) Shumway, and Susan ( Leo ) Langlois; 7 grandchildren: Anna Nelson, Matthew Charbonneau and Patrick ( Anne ) Charbonneau, Hannah ( Devin ) Clark and Benjamin ( Billie ) Shumway, Jules Langlois and Joshua Langlois; 2 great-granddaughters: Freya Clark and Alva Clark.

 A Celebration of Life Service for Pattie will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Rushford Lutheran Church, Rushford, MN.