C. Patricia (Bly) Nelson, age 90 of Tracy, passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at Prairie View Senior Living in Tracy surrounded by family. Memorial Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 28 at Tracy Lutheran Church. Visitation will be 4:00 – 7:00 p.m Wednesday, December 27 at Tracy Area Funeral Home with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church on Thursday. Interment will be at the Tracy City Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Cordella Patricia (Bly) Nelson was born September 6, 1933 to George and Henrietta (Saboe) Bly in Tyler, Minnesota. She was baptized on November 26, 1933 at Aetna Lutheran Church in Ruthton where she was later confirmed. Pat grew up on the family farm established by her Bly grandparents when they came from Norway in 1888. She graduated from Ruthton High School in 1951 and received her teacher’s certificate from Augustana College in Sioux Falls.
Pat married her high school sweetheart, Philip Nelson, on June 27, 1953. They resided on the Nelson farm established by Phil’s grandparents in 1895. She taught school for four years before becoming a full-time mother and farmwife. Pat was involved in community, school and church activities. She served on the Tracy School Board for nine years, the Tracy Nursing Home board for 15 years, and other Auxiliary Boards.
Pat and Phil hosted five agricultural exchange students. Pat enjoyed gardening, cooking, Bible Studies, family gatherings, genealogy and traveling. Her special trips were to Norway, land of her fore fathers and Israel, land of her heavenly Father.
Pat is survived by husband Phil Nelson; children: Diane (Curt) Peterson of Balaton, Will Nelson, Eric Nelson both of Tracy, Amy (Steve) Carter of Lake Oswego, OR, Bjorn (Sherri) Nelson of Brandon, SD; grandchildren: Evan (Kristin) Peterson of Lake Benton, Brett (Molly) Peterson of Garvin, Laura (Ryan) Wittnebel of Bellingham, Andy (Amber) Nelson of Tracy, Jane (Phil) Babcock of Bremerton, WA, Ben Carter of Bend, OR, Rachel (Taylor) Court of Sioux Falls, SD and Jennifer Nelson of Sioux Falls, SD; step grandchildren: Amanda Hermann of Hudson, WI, Brent Rumfelt of Lamberton, Darren Rumfelt of Lynd, Savannah Rumfelt of Redwood Falls, Brandon Rumfelt of Minneapolis and Matt Persons of Tracy; 14 great grandchildren: Audrey, Colin, Camden, Grace, Georgia, Boden, Arielle, Charli, Cameron, Calvin, Lyla, Levi, Wheeler and Cora; many special nieces and nephews very dear to her; and sisters-in-law Jody Olson and Delores Manke.
She is preceded in death by her parents George & Henrietta Bly, parents-in-law Doris & Will Nelson, step-father-in-law Merrill Starr, sisters Mavis (John) Bargon, Lorayne (Don) Gregg, and Glenetta (Gib) Backlund, sisters and brothers-in-law Clarice (Dr. Howard) Rose, Robert Manke Sr., Dr. Robert Olson, and Nancy (Dr. John) Starr, one niece, two nephews, and many beloved cousins.