Patricia "Pat" Lucille Nelson

She was born on August 26, 1933 to Adolph and Edna Erickson. The Erickson family was very large and very close. In earlier years, no one will forget Erickson Christmases with Santa handing out gifts to everyone. In later years, the same is true for Erickson reunions held at St. Croix Park.

Pat married Joseph Ollie Nelson on April 22, 1955 in Duluth, MN. They had two children, Jon and Jay.

The Nelson family did a lot of traveling. Disneyland, circle trips across Lake Superior and numerous trips up the North Shore to the Caribou & Sawbill trails. The boys also kept them very busy with attending the different sports they were involved in.

While her kids were in school, Pat went back to college at U.M.D. She mostly took night classes and received her teaching degree. She was a fourth grade teacher at BayView Elementary School for most of her teaching career. She started at BayView as the secretary to the principal. For many years after she retired, her students would see her at the Proctor Hoghead Festival and other places as well. They would come up to her and thank her for being such a great teacher.

Pat was a terrific wife, mother, and grandmother. As a wife, her and Joe had a wonderful time together. She helped manage the Kum-Back Cabins they owned while Joe worked at W.L.S.S.D. After the boys left the house, they took numerous trips with friends and visited many parts of the country. She also was able to enjoy retirement with Joe as a “snowbird” in Sun City, AZ. Her true show of love for Joe, in later years, was being at his side all day, everyday, until Joe passed from complications of Alzheimer’s at Lakeshore Lutheran in 1997.

As a mom, she also supported her boys in everything they did. She said she never went to sleep until she knew her boys were home safely. Sorry for keeping you up late sometimes. Pat (and Joe) instilled good morals and ethics in their boys. We can’t thank them enough for that.

As a grandparent, she loved family gatherings and to see her grandkids growing up. She also came to many of their sporting events as well. The kids loved to visit her in Sun City. Her wild rice hot dish is still talked about. One of her many legacies will be how she helped, as she could, to provide assistance in getting most of her grandchildren through college. As a teacher, she believed strongly in a good education. Her grandkids benefited from that.

Then it was her turn to battle the same affliction as her husband (Alzheimer’s). To see both parents with this tests your faith and beliefs but you need to believe there is some grand plan for all of us. We saw her go through the same phases as dad knowing currently there is no cure for this terrible disease. At least we know now she is in a better place, with dad.

We would like to thank the employees of Golden Oaks and Essentia Hospice for their care and true concern of Mom’s well-being. During her progression of this disease, many family members visited her and we thank everyone who was able to came and reminisce with her.

Mom, you will be greatly missed but we are sure that heaven has a special place for you. Say “hi” to dad.

Pat is survived by her two boys and their families, Jon (wife, Peggy, children, Matt, Adam, Erik, and Rachel); Jay (wife, Kathie, children, Weston (Molly), Whitney and Wyatt.

Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. Funeral Service on Tuesday, May 3rd at Bell Brothers Funeral Home. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery. Please leave a memory of Pat or words of support for her family at www.bellbrothersfuneralhome.com