Patricia R. "Patti" Nelson

   Patricia R. “Patti” Nelson, 84, of South Sioux City passed away on Saturday, July 25, 2020 at a local hospital. A Private Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, August 10, 2020 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Jackson, Nebraska. A live stream of Patti's Memorial Mass may be viewed at this link: https://youtu.be/eBWhyW4uuyo. A visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. on Sunday, August 9, 2020 at Mohr & Becker-Hunt Chapel in South Sioux City, with a Rosary at 3:00 p.m. and a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. Online condolences may be directed to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

   Patricia R. Higgins was born on March 26, 1936 in Fort Dodge, Iowa to Raymond John and Eva Mae (Gates) Higgins. She attended grade school and high school at Our Lady of Good Counsel (OLGC) in Fonda, Iowa, graduating in 1954. She then went on to nurses training at St. Joseph Mercy School of Nursing from 1954-1957.

   She married Charles E. Nelson on November 25, 1961 in Fonda, Iowa. The two spent 58 years together until Charles passed away on July 7, 2020.

   Patti spent years working as a Registered Nurse for Dr. George G. Spellman; St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, 2^nd North; and Marian Health Center, 7 Southeast. After she retired, she went to work for the Siouxland Community Health Center. She was a longtime member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Jackson, where she also served on the altar society and taught CCD classes for many years. She was also a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxillary and the Red Hat Society.

   In her “free time” between working and raising her seven children, Patti loved to bake. She was famously known for her delicious cinnamon rolls and other baked goods. She also loved to garden, and would spend many hours in her perennial garden on the farm. She lived with M.S. for over 30 years, never complained as she selflessly took care of her family; she was a loyal friend, and an exemplary Christian.

   She is survived by her children: Charlene Dorcey (Frank) of York, NE; Doug Nelson (Lisa) of Jackson, NE; Barbara Hayes (Joe) of Jackson, NE; Bill Nelson of Floresville, TX; Jim Nelson (Christina) of Jackson, NE; Jeff Nelson (Shelly) of Omaha, NE; and Mary Koogler (Steve) of Altoona, IA; grandchildren: Ryan, Noah, and Michael Dorcey; Taylor (Emily) and Jeremy (Elizabeth) Nelson; Abby, Timmy, and Matthew Hayes; Haley, Mallory, and Zachary Nelson; Morgan Nelson; Delaney and Miley Koogler; great-grandchildren: Brock and Teagan Nelson; brothers: Francis Higgins, James Higgins, Richard “Dick” Higgins, and Merle “Butch” Higgins; and sisters: Teri Lou Sparks, and Valerie Higgins.

   She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Charles; a brother, John Higgins; and a sister, Kathleen Higgins. 

Honorary pallbearers will be: Abby Hayes, Delaney Koogler, Miley Koogler, Morgan Nelson, Haley Nelson, and Mallory Nelson.