Parker (Falstad), Patricia "Pat" Anne Patricia passed away peacefully on October 20, 2021. Born June 16, 1927, Patricia "Pat" Anne Falstad was raised in the farming community of Garrison, North Dakota, and remained a North Dakotan at-heart. She attended Jamestown College, where she met lifelong love and partner John (Jack) Parker. Together they enjoyed a life in academics, world travels, raising their daughters, and living on the same block in south Minneapolis for 50 years. Jack's career as Curator of the James Ford Bell Library took the family on numerous European trips. In those travels, Pat began researching and developing an enviable personal collection of rare books and manuscripts focused on early Antarctic explorations. As an academic, Pat was a respected authority on children's literature and was fortunate to call many acclaimed children's book authors as friends. She was a mentor, a writer, and a teacher and taught children's literature and library science at Augsburg College while earning her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. She became the Associate Dean at Augsburg and, among many accomplishments, developed the successful Weekend College program. Pat was an ardent advocate for women's rights and fought for faculty and staff equity. She left an indelible mark on the college and those lucky enough to have known her there. An avid early-morning swimmer at the Minneapolis YWCA, Pat forged deep, lasting relationships with her female swimming friends. Summer evenings found her riding her mountain bike to Minnehaha Falls to marvel at the family celebrations. After Jack's passing, Pat took over the home gardening duties, reveling in digging dandelions. She loved Elvis, the Timberwolves, a fresh jelly bismark, and leisurely Sundays perusing the obituaries (we hope we are doing her justice). Pat is preceded in death by her beloved parents, Adah and Richard (Dick) Falstad, husband John Parker, brother Bill Parker, and sister Dorothy Keyes. She is survived by daughter Jackie Cherryhomes-Tyler (F. Clayton Tyler), cherished granddaughter Emma, daughter Sarah Parker (Donald Potvien), brother Kenneth Falstad, brother-in-law William Parker, and a host of nieces and nephews. In her departure, Pat leaves behind family and friends with full and grateful hearts for all she did and all she was. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Walker Methodist Care Suites for their devotion and care. Memorials can be made in Pat Parker's memory at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, where she relished quiet respite.

Published on October 24, 2021