Patricia M. Nelson

PORTAGE  --  Patricia M. Nelson, passed away on Monday, December 6, 2010, at her home in Portage, at the age of 69.

Patricia was one of 14 children born to the late Orrie and Lottie (Barton) McDonald.  She was the beloved wife of Charles R. Nelson (Portage) for 53 years.  Together they were blessed with three children, Glenn R. Nelson, Portage, Constance F. Brown, N.C., and Kim K. Schumann, Portage. 

Patricia was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church for many years.  Through those years she served as President of Bethlehem Lutheran Church Women for two terms, the Evangelism committee, Lutheran Brotherhood, was a Bible School teacher, and a member of the Altar Guild.  She also took care of the weddings and funerals for many years, and did “Meals on Wheels”. Patricia mostly was a “stay at home” mom.  After the children were grown, she worked for the late Carl and Betty Berst for 13 years.    

Patricia is survived by her husband, Charles R. Nelson; her son, Glenn R. (Jackie) Nelson; her daughters, Constance F. (Daniel) Brown, N.C., and Kim K. (Larry) Schumann, Portage; her grandchildren, Danielle (Mike) Weisinger, of S.C., and Denise (Ched) Peck of Ohio, and five Great-grandchildren, Austin, Ryan, Jonathan, Jake and Jillian; her sisters, Iris (Robert) Brigham, Madison, Olive (Clarence) Baker, Portage, and Barbara (Darwin) Wolfgram of Arizona; her brothers, Donald (Myra) McDonald of Arizona, and Phillip (Sue) McDonald of Portage, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Jane, Sheila, Agatha (Mickie), her brothers, Orriel, Maurice, Angus (Tom), Chester, and Mathew, her in-laws, Orville and Mary Nelson; her sisters-in-law, Nancy Nelson, and Lillian Gloyd; her brothers-in-law, Ollis Nelson and Dorel Gloyd, a niece Karen Nelson, and a beloved cousin and friend, Alva H. Simonson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 10, 2010 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, with Rev. Dick Inglett officiating.  Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 9, 2010 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage.

Memorials may be given to Bethlehem Lutheran Church in memory of Patricia.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want;
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his names sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil;
For thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
Thou annointest my head with oil, my cup overflows.
Surely “goodness and mercy” shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.