Patty Rezac

Funeral services for Patty Rezac were held on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the St. John Lutheran Church in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Marcus Ring officiating. Music was provided by Geoff Smith, accompanied by Melanie Hannahs, organist. Registration and flower attendants were Helen Geaghan, Rae Tyburec, and Evely Rezac. Casket bearers were Patty’s grandchildren, and the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center staff, both past and present. Interment was in the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Patty Lee was born May 12, 1938, in Gregory, SD, to Leland and Violet (Zimbelman) Audiss and grew up on a farm southeast of Colome, SD. Though she loved the farm, many of her days were spent with her grandparents Conrad and Albena Zimbelman on their farm two miles north of North Star. In her younger years, Patty’s mom was remarried to Wilber Jones, and he adopted her.

Patty was raised around the Gregory area and graduated from Gregory High School in 1956. In that same year, she was united in marriage to Duaine Nelson. To this union, two sons were born. They made their home on a farm just east of where she grew up, and there they spent their time chasing kids, milking cows, and keeping up the farm. Her marriage was short lived to Duaine, and in 1967, she married Harold Rezac. To that union, a daughter was born. They made their home on a ranch north of Burton, NE, on the Keya Paha River. While on the ranch Patty stayed active taking care of her bucket calves, pigs, chickens, guineas, and geese. Patty was a great cook, and you never left her home with an empty belly or without an arm full of leftovers.

In 1977, Patty and the kids moved to Gregory, and the kids settled into school. Patty took a job in Winner as a home health nurse. In 1983 she transferred to Avera in Gregory and continued as a home health nurse. In 2002, after many years of traveling, she took a position at ARCCC as a rehabilitation aide. Part of her claim to fame was “Patty Land”. Patty Land was located in the back part of the old nursing home where she started a small garden with raised beds for the residents to work in. Along with vegetables, there were many flowers and plants. Because of her hard work, along with others’, many people donated plants and money to help in the effort. Patty worked at Avera Rosebud Country Care Center until dementia started to set in, and she retired in 2008.

Patty was a jokester with her coworkers and loved the residents and people she worked with. She was full of life and always on the go.

Patty passed away at Avera Rosebud Country Care Center on August 20th, 2023, at the age of 85.

She was preceded in death by her mother Violet (Walt) Biggins, father Wilber Jones, brother Ronald Jones, and very special friend Bud Bash.

She is survived by her sons Bruce Nelson of Pierre, SD, Bryan (Angel) Nelson of Gregory, SD, and daughter Natasha Whitney of Cathedral City, CA; grandchildren: Derek (Courtney) Nelson, Rapid City, SD, Danielle (Casey) Breitag, Pierre, SD, Desiree Nelson, Pierre, SD, Colten Nelson, Sioux Falls, SD, Addy Nelson, Davenport, IA, Boyd Nelson, Gregory, SD, Tatianna and Marisska Whitney, Cathedral City, CA; and nine greatgrandchildren.