Patti Nelson, 72, of Montezuma, formerly of Brooklyn, died on Sunday, March 30, 2025 at UnityPoint Grinnell Regional Medical Center.

A funeral service will be held 10:30 am, Friday, April 4, 2025 at the Smith Funeral Home in Brooklyn. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 9:00 am. Interment will be in Brooklyn Memorial Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the Brooklyn Ruritan Club.

Memorials may be designated to the Brooklyn Fire Department or to East Poweshiek Ambulance Service and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, 605 Jackson Street, Brooklyn, IA 52211. Memories and condolences may be shared with Patti's family online at www.smithfh.com.

Patricia Ann Saylor was born on January 5, 1953 in Grinnell, Iowa to Harold Maynard Saylor and Marcella Ann (Christensen) Saylor. She was raised in Brooklyn and graduated from BGM High School in 1971.

On June 19, 1971, Patti was united in marriage to Roger Nelson at the First Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn. Their marriage was blessed with three children: Tammy, Eric, and Sheri. Together, they built a loving home, raising their family in Brooklyn from 1971 until 2001, when they moved to Lake Ponderosa near Montezuma, IA.

Patti worked at several area businesses over the years, including Brooklyn Vet Clinic, the Brooklyn Newspaper, Brooklyn Liquor Store, Van Wyk Trucking, Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance, and Brownells, where she worked until her retirement in 2022.

Beyond work, Patti cherished spending time with her family. She loved attending her grandchildren's sporting events, visiting Tammy for games and lunch, boating with family, and taking trips to the casino. She was an avid fan of Days of Our Lives. She eagerly awaited Roger's annual Christmas announcement of their trip to Las Vegas.

Patti will be remembered for her warm smile, generous heart, and unwavering love for her family. She was always willing to help others and brought joy to those around her.

Patti is survived by her three children, Tammy Nelson of Des Moines, Eric (Keri Geiger) Nelson of Brooklyn, and Sheri (Bart) Sharer of Montezuma; three grandchildren, Kane Conklin, Jadyn (Aidan Anderson) Sharer, and Clark Nelson; and her nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Roger Nelson in 2021.