Forster, Patricia Rose of Edina started her journey home on April 28, 2020, at her son's house in Minnetonka. At 83, she died of Alzheimer's, complicated by COVID-19 and pneumonia. She was a beloved mother, daughter, wife, sister, grandmother, dedicated educator, passionate Catholic and loyal friend.

Patricia was born Aug. 30, 1936, the daughter of Earl and Dorothy Nelson and raised with her sister Bonnie in north Minneapolis. She was a proud graduate of North High School and a member of the Pandoras, her high school club. Patricia played the piano. Her dance classes formed the foundation for her love of dance and music throughout her life.

She met and married her treasured Robert Forster after graduating from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor's degree in education and later earned a master's degree from the U. She launched her career in Skokie, Illinois, but spent the majority of her work life as an elementary school teacher in the Edina and Faribault public schools.

She gave her time freely, and was active with progressive politics and causes. She was a long-time volunteer for the Juvenile Diabetes Association, chapter president of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), and an active alumna of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.

Her positive spirit and energy brought people together. Her home was filled with fun, music, dancing, great food, friendly competition, laughter and friends.

Patricia enjoyed bridge and gin rummy with friends, book club, golf, skiing in all forms cross-country, snow and water family camping trips to the BWCA, canoeing, and ski trips to Colorado. She traveled all over Europe, to Mexico, South America, South Africa, Canada and throughout the U.S. She and Bob loved to entertain and they often hosted cocktail parties and dinner parties with different groups of friends.

One of her favorite places was the cabin in Siren, Wisconsin, where she sailed, swam, skied, gardened, entertained friends and simply cherished family gatherings. She loved to attend plays at the Guthrie and dance performances at the U's Northrop auditorium.

Religion brought her peace and joy. A lifelong Catholic, she was also one of the founding parishioners of the gym Mass at Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church in south Minneapolis. She enjoyed the Mass and parish activities and celebrations throughout her life, even in her final months.

Her life was distinguished by endless boundaries and a nature that propped everyone up through good times and bad, through laughter and sadness. She was our bond, our lightness, our everything.

Patricia is preceded in death by her husband, her parents and her first born grandson David Jr. She leaves four children, David (Sandy), Katie (Jon), Julie (Curt) and Teresa (Mike), her sister Bonnie, and six grandchildren: Max (Molly) and Sam (Silvia) Forster, Alex and Matthew (Lauren) Schulz, and Mackenzie and Charlie Burns.

Memorials to the Alzheimer's Association Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter and JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). Celebration of Life at a later date.

Published on May 3, 2020