Patricia Nelson, 82
Patricia Louise Nelson, 82, Red Oak, died Saturday, April 5, 2014, at the Stanton Care Center in Stanton.
Pat was born Jan. 14, 1932, in Ames, the daughter of Ralph and Mae (Hanson) Moore. She graduated from the Fernald, Iowa High School and attended Drake University where she earned her bachelor degree in elementary education. Pat also did graduate work through the University of Northern Iowa and taught at Des Moines and Winterset before moving to Red Oak.
Pat married Allen Nelson April 3, 1980, in Red Oak. She was a member of PEO HB Chapter, Retired Teachers Association and an active member of First Congregational United Church of Christ, where she served on the governing board, taught Sunday school and enjoyed the women’s fellowship group.
Pat enjoyed being involved in live theater all of her life. She was instrumental in the success of the Theater Off The Square in its early years, participating as an actress and board member. She truly enjoyed attending events at the new Wilson Performing Arts Center.
She enjoyed gardening, watching birds and walking with friends at the YMCA, but her greatest passion was the love of children and teaching for 34 years in Red Oak. Pat retired in 1994.
She also had a great love of animals. Throughout the years, she made a home for many dogs, cats and other pets, including her current cat, “Noodle.”
Pat was preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors include her husband, Allen Nelson of Red Oak; children, Becky Armknecht of Omaha, Anne Armknecht and partner Jill Gray of Long Grove, Thomas Armknecht and wife Molly Mikuls of Omaha, Laura Nelson-Lof of Grinnell and Julie Nelson-Elgar and husband Jim of Ipswich, England; grandchildren, John Lof of Grinnell, Catherine Stainer of Ipswich, England, Emily Lof of Grinnell and Ella and Hogan Armknecht of Omaha; other relatives and many friends.
A celebration of life service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, April 10, 2014 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ with Rev. Donald Morgan officiating. Burial of the cremated remains will take place at Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel. A memorial fund is being established in Pat’s memory.
Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.