Patricia Anne (Smith) Neir

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Neir, Patricia Anne Smith Feb. 9th, 1951 - August 26th, 2016 Patti Smith Neir, a loving, artistic, generous, and radiant woman, died at her home in Minneapolis on Friday, 26 August 2016. She was 65. Patti was the first born of five girls to David Malcom Smith and Donna Mae Swenson Smith in River Falls, WI. A 1969 graduate of River Falls High School, she was active on the debate team, in music, and future nurses organizations. In college, her interests changed and she earned her BA from the University of Wisconsin / River Falls in elementary education. In 1978, Patti began her 29-year career at Xerox Corporation where she was one of their top account managers. She was a frequent member of their President's club honoring outstanding members of the Xerox sales team. Patti was a loyal mentor and longtime friend to many of her coworkers and customers. On 16 January 1988, Patti married Francis Neir at the First Congregational Church in River Falls. Patti and Fran have a daughter, Olivia Neir. In 1991, Patti was elected to the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of River Falls, and has held the position of Board Chair for the last 4 years. As a member of Plymouth Congregational Church, she served on the Board of Stewards and the Board of Deacons. Patti was also President of the 18 Hole League at Town and Country Club. Patti and Fran together traveled the world. However, their favorite destination was Owakonze, Ontario Canada. They loved to play golf and cook great meals for their family and friends with Patti 's famous pies she was a master pie maker. Patti's impact on the community was profound and can be attributed to her sense of duty and caring nature. Patti was a loyal and true friend to an amazing number of people. She delighted in finding just the right gift for all of them. Patti was generous, gracious, kind, loving, supportive and smart with a great capacity for forgiveness. She was gorgeous, stylish, funny and fun. Patti is survived by her husband Fran; son Scott (Robyn) Bercot; daughter Olivia Neir; step-children, Alex (Stacy) Neir, Cassie (Mike) Morris; sisters, Sandy (Mike) Wurm, Polly (Mark) Stafford, Stephanie Smith, Mary Grace Smith; sisters-in- law, Maggie (Hovey) Tinsman and Nancy Wachs (Conrad Huff); nieces and nephews, Melissa (Mike) Herskowitz, Christian (Aidee) Wurm, Chloe Smith, Andrew and Mitch Stafford, Hovey (Sarah) Tinsman, Heidi Tinsman (Erik Kongshaug) and Bruce (Sharon) Tinsman; grandchildren, Dean, Max, Warren and Elyse Bercot, Morgan Neir and Izzy and Lexi Morris. The visitation and service will be at Plymouth Congregational Church, 1900 Nicollet Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55403. The visitation will be from 3:00-7:00pm Wednesday, 31 August and the service at 2:00pm Thursday, 1 September followed by a reception at Town and Country Club from 3:00-6:00pm, 2279 Marshall Ave, St Paul, MN 55104. In lieu of flowers, Patti wishes donations to go to Alliance Housing, Inc., 2309 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55405. GILLBROTHERS.com Minneapolis 612-861-6088

Published on August 28, 2016