Patricia Nielsen

Patricia Ann Nielsen was born January 13, 1936 in Scarville, Iowa, the daughter of Luther and Frieda (Jacobs) Larson. After graduating from Woden High School in 1954, she went to Iowa Teachers College for a year and transferred to Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa where she earned her teaching certificate and met her husband to be, James Nielsen. They were married on December 25, 1956. The couple had four boys and lived in Washta, Alta and Harlan Iowa before moving to Arnolds Park in 1969. When her children had grown, she went back to Buena Vista and received her Bachelors Degree in special education in 1981. She worked as a special education teacher in Arnolds Park and Estherville until she retired in 1995. When her health condition changed, she moved to Papillion, Nebraska in 2004 to be closer to her sons and grandchildren. Her pride and joy were her four boys, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. Patricia was a member of the PEO since 1974, the American Legion Auxiliary for over sixty years and the Alta Chapter of the Easter Star for over fifty years. She was a volunteer for the Lakes Regional Medical Center and served as the president in the past. She had many interests including geneology, art and music. She was very handy with the computer keeping touch with family and friends through the internet and facebook. Patricia passed away May 6, 2011 in her home in Papillion, Nebraska at seventy-five years of age. She is survived by her son, Steve and his wife, Carol, and their children, Chris, Mark and Kimberlee; son, Tom; son, Dave and his wife, Mindy, and their children, Bryce and Sarah; son, Mike and his wife, Robin, and their children, Kyle, James and Tricia. She was preceded in death by her husband, James W. Nielsen.