Patricia (Pat) E. Nelsen, age 70 of Byron, MN passed away at St. Mary's Hospital from a brief illness on October 2, 2017.

Pat was born in Rochester, MN on April 4, 1947 and resided in Byron.  She was a 1965 graduate of Byron High School, attended Rochester Community College for nursing and worked as an RN at St. Mary's Hospital for 21 years.  She and her mother, Lois, ran an upholstery shop at the farm for several years.  She returned to assisting local seniors with home health needs and retired in September 2017.  She was honored as Byron's "Good Neighbor" of the year.  She attended 8 of the Veteran Honors Flights to military memorials in Washington, D.C. as a guardian.

She was a member of the Byron American Legion Auxiliary Unit #119 and was current President.  She was also a member of the Mantorville VFW Auxiliary, the Byron Historical Society, and secretary of the Byron Cemetery Association.

Pat enjoyed reading, tractor pulls, fast cars, and crocheting.  She also enjoyed her Saturday and Sunday morning coffee gatherings and the Friday night Happy Hours.

Pat is survived by her nephew, Brian (Karen Nehring) Nelsen; two nieces, Diane (Chad) Squires and Michelle Nelsen; great nephew, Stephen Squires; and sister-in-law Anita (Vernon) Nelsen.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Lois Nelsen, her brother Vernon Nelsen, and great niece Stephanie Leamon.

Memorials are preferred to Seasons Hospice, Veterans Grant or the Byron Cemetery Association.  Arrangements pending for a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

She was a treasured friend to all and will be greatly missed.